ALL THE INFORMATION YOU’LL EVER NEED

TO CREATE THE BEST AIRCRAFT MODELS 5 NEW BUILDS

INSIDE
KIT BU ILD KIT BU ILD
CASA’S SECOND
AVIOCAR TO NONE
GET THE BEST
WE TAKE A DETAILED LOOK
AT THIS WONDERFULLY FROM AIRFIX’S
ELEGANT AIRCRAFT SUPERB 1:72
COURTESY OF AZUR/FFROM. B-25 MITCHELL.

May 2019
£4.75 / Issue 166
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END OF AN ERA
■ WE COMMEMORATE
THE PASSING OF THE
INCREDIBLE PANAVIA
TORNADO FROM RAF
SERVICE…

KIT BUILD

FULLY
LOADED! EDUARD’S UPGRADES MAKE THEIR 1:48 TEMPEST EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE!

KIT
BUILD THE GHOST OF ALCOCK & BROWN
COMMEMORATIVE COLOURS DECORATE THE AIRFIX 1:72 F-4 PHANTOM FGR.2. 9 771747 504069
 How to contact us:
Contents Tel: 01525 222573
Model Airplane International. Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
VOLUME 14. ISSUE 166. MAY 2019 Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX, England

VOL.14 ISS.166 MAY 2019

REGULARS P28 SECOND TO NONE Editorial:
Editor: Spencer Pollard
Nigel Poole tackles the Airfix 1:72 B-25 Mitchell, a [email protected]
P04 - IN THIS ISSUE kit that will delight fans of WWII aviation. Publisher: Alan Harman
P06 - COMMENT Group Editor: Marcus Nicholls
P08 - NEWSLINE P44 THE GHOST OF ALCOCK & BROWN Administration Manager: Hannah McLaurie
P78 - EVENTS DIARY Office Manager: Paula Gray
P79 - CONTACTS DETAILS Following our look at the Phantom FGR.2 in RAF
service in the last issue, Mike Williams builds the Advertising Manager: Richard Andrews
P81 - NEXT ISSUE [email protected]
P82 - FINAL THOUGHTS… 1:72 Airfix kit, finishing it in arguably the finest
scheme ever to grace this iconic Cold War jet. Art:
REVIEWS Editorial Design: Peter Hutchinson
P46 CASA’S AVIOCAR Advertising Design: Peter Hutchinson & Alex Hall
P10 KIT BOX Marcus Jellyman takes a detailed look at this
Which models will you be building over the coming months? delightfully elegant little transport aircraft, finishing Advertisement and circulation:
Model Airplane International, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
it in the wonderfully smart colours of the Centre Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX.
P12 TRANSFER LIST d’Essais en Vol (Flight Test Centre). Tel: 01525 222573
Some of the newest decal sheets that you’ll be E-mail: [email protected]
using to decorate your models.
P56 IN COLOUR
CASA Aviocars show off for the camera… Distribution:
P16 IN PRINT Seymour Distribution, 2 East Poultry Avenue,
The latest additions to your library’s book shelves. London, EC1A 9PT.
P58 FULLY LOADED TEMPEST Tel: 020 7429 4000
P18 TOOL BOX Eduard’s excellent Tempest is improved further
Workshop additions to make your modelling easier… with a raft of their aftermarket upgrades. James Newstrade:
Hatch is in the pilot’s seat… Select Publisher Services, 3 East Avenue,
P20 STAND BY ME Bournemouth, BH3 7BW.
Tel: 01202 586848 E-mail: [email protected]
A simple workshop hack that will help you to P70 END OF AN ERA
declutter your desk… We remember Panavia’s Tornado in RAF service as Subscriptions:
it passes into the history books… Model Airplane International, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane,
FEATURES Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX. Tel: 01525 222573
Rates: UK £47, Eire and Europe £59,
P22 SHORT, VERY LITTLE, UGLY FELLA Worldwide Air £72.
Roy Kinsella gets to grips with a wonderfully Website: www.modelairplaneinternational.com
detailed A-7 Corsair in 1:144

s c r i b e To d
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Model Airplane International is published monthly by Doolittle Media, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX. Entire Contents © 2019 Doolittle Media, Reproduction
in part or whole of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. While due care is taken to ensure the content of Model Airplane
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Doolittle Media’s standard terms of acceptance of advertising, copies of which are available from the advertising sales department of MAI.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 3

IN THIS ISSUE...
Hello everyone, welcome to the May 2019 edition of
your favourite aviation modelling magazine!
f this issue is defined by one thing, it’s our from other armed forces as well. A particular

I concentration on that most popular of aircraft

scales: 1:72. As you leaf through the pages
of this edition of MAI, you will find three
in-depth builds that feature models in this
scale - Nigel Poole’s Airfix B-25 Mitchell, Marcus
Jellyman’s Azur/FFROM CASA Aviocar and
finally, Mike Williams’ rendition of the Airfix F-4
favourite amongst our authors, especially
Marcus Jellyman, is the French Air force ‘Armée
de l’Air’ and their opposite number with the
navy, the ‘Force maritime de l’aéronautique
navale’, or more pithily, the Aéronavale. This
month Marcus builds one of the Armée de l’Air’s
attractive transport aircraft, the CASA Aviocar
Phantom FGR.2. using the Azur/FFROM kit. His feature offers
Written by Taking the B-25 Mitchell as our first in-depth plenty of guidance with regards to assembly
build, Nigel Poole has revealed everything and painting, along with some superb shots of
Spencer Pollard that you need to get the very best from this the real machine in service around the world, all
impressive kit. From basic construction through beginning on page 46.
to the use of home-made masks for the Having already looked at the Airfix release
markings, it’s all there within his feature which of the Royal Navy’s F-4 Phantom last year,
begins on page 28. we thought you would like to see it now that
Though we concentrate heavily within MAI to has been released in RAF markings. Never
on aircraft that have served with the RAF ones to take the easy route to the completion
and Royal Navy, we also like look at aircraft of a kit, we then decided to finish the model

4 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

in arguably the finest scheme ever carried by a of Eduard’s updates to show you what the kit will
Phantom, the anniversary colours that celebrated look like should you decided to take that route to
Alcock & Brown’s transatlantic flight. Mike Williams completion. James’ Hatch’s stunning feature begins
takes us through the build and some of the trials and on page 58. Let the cutting begin!
tribulations that he encountered whilst completing
that famous colour scheme beginning on page 38. AND FINALLY…
Dropping down a scale we are delighted to bring As this issue went to print, the RAF finally retired the
you a feature on the A-7 Corsair, this time built from last of their Tornado GR.4 aircraft. To commemorate
a kit created by a manufacturer that we have not this important event, Marcus Jellyman has created
featured before: Heroes Models. Hailing from Italy, a photo feature that shows many of these aircraft
this impressive, one-man-band, creates some very in RAF service. There are plenty of different jets
impressive kits and accessories, all superbly cast in to admire in plenty of colour schemes, all of which
resin. Roy Kinsella tackles this new kit, finishing it should provide grist for the mill when Italeri’s 1:32 kit
in the scruffy colours and markings of the Greek Air finally arrives later this year! Marcus’ photo-feature
Force. The fun begins on page 22. begins on page 70.
Our final build this month covers a kit that we
have already looked at, Eduard’s 1:48 Tempest. In So this then is the May issue of Model Airplane
Drewe Manton’s earlier feature he built the kit from International - we hope that you enjoy it and that we
the box, so this time we have loaded it up with all see you again next month! ■
 WELL, I KNOW IT’S
IN THERE…
Written by Jonathan Mock

he above is a bit of I do have memories of Nitto’s over because I wanted these parts Francois Verlinden, I still spend

T Modelling 101 cliché

when a someone
has spent days, if not
weeks, lovingly building
and painting interior details,
sometimes even scratchbuilding
missing or inaccurate parts, only
exquisite 1:76 AFVs that came
with detailed interiors - so my
progress with the T-34 was slow
as I methodically built, painted,
then built more of the innards.
Truth be told, were it my own
model I would have skipped the
to look good as I photographed
each stage. Likewise the driver’s
compartment that I painted and
weathered even down the scuffs
and scratches on the floor. The
one area that did offer a chance
to display my handiwork was the
hours leafing through his books
as I’ve mentioned in these pages
before. But it was observed by the
editor of this magazine - who is
lucky enough to own an original
Verlinden model - that Francois
frequently didn’t bother painting
to come to the stage where the interior but as this was being engine - the whole rear end of or even installing stuff that wasn’t
fuselage halves are closed up made for the importer and the the T-34 hinged down rather like going to be seen, notably things
and all that work ends up being features of the kit needed to be some armoured hatchback car. like the upper sections of tracks
virtually sight unseen. recorded as part of the build At this stage I get to trot out and running gear on tanks if they
This was brought to mind process, there were no shortcuts - “well I know it’s there…” plus I do were covered by side skirts or
recently on a project I was everything had to go in. have the construction photos as armoured plate. Once the model
working on - ironically not an Having meticulously painted a memory of all that work, but it was fixed to the baseboard (if part
aircraft but Italeri’s new 1:35 and weathered the turret parts, did set me to thinking how often of a diorama), what’s the point
T-34/85 tank that features a none of this work was apparent we lavish time and effort - not in spending time and effort on
wealth of interior details for the when the turret itself was to mention money - on stuff that something that’s never going to
driver’s compartment, engine assembled, save for glimpses sometimes is so hidden as to be be viewed?
and the turret. Now I’m used to through the open hatches. Now almost inconsequential on the I can appreciated this point of
building tanks where almost none logic would have told me to just finished model. view, on my own AFVs I frequently
of this is ever included - though paint the basics but pride took One of my modelling heroes is don’t bother weathering the

6 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

undersides of the hull, in fact levers and handles, wanting to resin one can make even a kit- almost a model in itself, a feature
more than a few bear airbrush create the maximum amount of supplied cockpit look a million not lost on Wingnut Wings who
squiggles where I’m testing a mix detail that was possible. At some dollars. are issuing a separate kit of just
of a camouflage colour prior to stage the realisation came over Talking of dollars brings us to the nose section for their 1:32
doing the upper paintwork proper. me that A. I was never going cost. When it comes to tooling, Lancaster.
In car modelling circles there to match the work I was seeing detail costs money and cost has But if expense is an issue when
are what are known as “kerbside” other people achieve and B. I was to be reflected in price which it comes to upgrading kit cockpit
models, ones which lack the full nuts for trying. It also coincided leads us to the eternal Catch and interiors, I go back to what
chassis, engine, suspension with a time when kit cockpits 22 with modellers who want Francois Verlinden was doing in
and transmission details of more started to become a bit more maximum detail but also want kits his On Plastic Wings book, and
thorough kits - and long as you’re than the afterthought they often that cost a few pounds/bucks. jazzing up things with plastic strip
not going to pick the model up were and I was finding that, with Frankly, I have few issues when and rod which is a cue for another
and look at the underside, it’s a careful paintwork, I could create kit companies provide decals in cliché - “good old modelling
way of offering modellers easier to something that was eminently 1:72 for things like instrument skills”. Sometimes the answer is
build kits. From the outside, they satisfying for my tastes and which panels and side consoles. Sure, in front of us, we just need to think
are near indistinguishable from enabled me to get on with painting some will turn up their noses laterally.
their more detailed counterparts. and weathering the exterior, you and bemoan the lack of moulded Just as I was about finish this
As far as aircraft interiors go, know the bits people could see. detail, but my attitude has piece off, a couple of kits arrived
the focal points tend to be the This almost reached its always been that decals provide one of which tied in neatly with
instrument panels and seats. It apotheosis when I started the more casual modeller with this article, albeit armour related
may seem vaguely comical now dabbling with the Hobby Boss “instant” detail and enthusiasts which is where we came in. It
but at one stage during the early Easy Build kits that came with tend to replace even adequately was the Italeri reissue of the old
days of plastic aircraft models, really basic cockpit tubs where moulded kit parts with aftermarket 1:72 ESCI Elefant tank. The kit
manufacturers used to skip the everything was moulded in one as some form of Pavlovian curiously supplies some interior
whole interior detail malarkey piece. I was finding that once response anyway, so it’s a happy parts but - oddly - all the hatches
(and sometimes wheel wells) by painted and with the canopy compromise. More importantly, it are moulded closed (save the
moulding cockpits solid with little closed, almost none of the frees the manufacturers to divert commander’s cupola) and so offer
pilot’s heads poking out of the top. shortcuts in the mouldings could R&D costs onto things that can no means of seeing anything. It
Two examples that spring to mind be seen! be seen or perhaps aim the kit at was a really odd tooling decision
are the old FROG 1:72 Fairey Now none of this is to decry a slightly lower price point. They by ESCI and I wonder whether
Gannet and original Airfix Gloster aftermarket sets or suggest are a business, not a service to they had to cut costs at a late
Gladiator. When Trumpeter and they’re not worth the expense modellers. stage in order to get the kit onto
Revell released their all-new or effort, far from it. Some kits Of course once you move up the market.
Gannet kits I remember reading do need that extra lift that brass the scales, detail becomes more Or perhaps they simply knew
grumbles about how the cockpits or resin can give and I’m a total necessary, evident and expensive their market very well and that
were only adequate. Adequate? convert to Eduard’s pre-painted to tool. The forthcoming Airfix modellers like myself would
At least there were cockpits! photo-etched sets, likewise their 1:24 Hellcat is dripping with detail paint and install the interior parts
I did go through a phase in my fabric seat belts in the larger when it comes to the cockpit, knowing that they’d never be seen
youth of being obsessed over scales. Similarly, it’s amazing how almost all of which will be visible but, well I know it’s in there… ■
cockpits, using resin aftermarket even just replacing an average due to the sheer size of the
or adding photo-etched bezels, ejection seat with a highly detail model - in fact the cockpit is

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 7

This month’s round-up of all that’s new in the world of aircraft modelling...

WINGNUT WINGS
www.wingnutwings.com

THE EXTRAORDINARY GOTHA G.1 MARKS WINGNUT WINGS’ 10 ANNIVERSARY

April 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of Wingnut Wings going public with their B = Gotha G.1 11/15, Fliegerersatz Abteilung 7 Sonderstaffel S.1, 1915 & 1916
first four models (32001 Junkers J.1, 32002 LVG C.VI, 32003 SE.5a “Hisso” & C = Gotha G.1 13/15, Feld Fliegerabteilung 37, 1915
32004 Bristol F.2b Fighter) on 4 April 2009. WnW are pleased to announce that D = Gotha G.1 41/15, Kagohl 1, 1915
their 10th anniversary celebration release models will be 32045 Gotha G.1 & E = Gotha G.1 42/15 “Feodora”, Fliegerersatz Abteilung 3?, 1916
32053 Gotha UWD (their 68th and 69th releases).
1:32 Gotha UWD - 32053
1:32 GOTHA G.1 - 32045 The unique Gotha UWD was one of several different twin engine seaplanes
The extraordinary Gotha G.1 design of 1915 was the first in a line of famous twin ordered by the German Navy to fit their requirements for a long range
engine bombers built by Gotha in the First World War. The high position of the reconnaissance and torpedo carrying aircraft (although there is no evidence
partially armour plated fuselage offered great visibility and effective fire positions to suggest it was ever armed with a torpedo). The Gotha UWD was developed
for the gunner(s) but very little protection to the 3 man crew in the event of a nose from the G.1 land plane and was completed in December 1915. It was described
over crash. The G.1 was initially conceived as a heavily armed fighter but was very as easy to fly, able to take to the air with ease and was smooth on landing. In a
quickly re-assigned to bombing duties and began the famous association of Gotha preview of things to come, Gotha UWD 120 was used to bomb England during
with First World War bombers. early 1916.

● 349 high-quality injection moulded plastic parts. ● 274 high-quality injection moulded plastic parts.
● 9 photo-etched metal detail parts. ● 4 photo-etched metal detail parts.
● 2x Benz 150hp Bz.III engines. ● 2 x Daimler-Mercedes 160hp D.III engines.
● 63 cm wingspan. ● 63 cm wingspan.
● 20 kg & 50 kg Carbinit bombs, optional propellers, lMG 08 ‘Spandau’, LMG ● 10 kg Carbonit bombs & bomb dropping ‘proboscis’, counter rotating
14 ‘Parabellum’ & 2 cm Beckercanon armament and mountings. propellers and optional map & document case and camera.
● 20 kgCarbonit bomb dropping cage or underwing fairing. ● 24 page fully illustrated instruction manual.
● 28 page fully illustrated instruction manual. ● High quality Cartograf decals for modified Gotha UWD 120 which served with
See Flieger Abteilung 1 from March 1916.
High-quality Cartograf decals included for 5 colour schemes;
A = Gotha G.1 10/15, Fliegerersatz Abteilung 7 Sonderstaffel S.1, 1915

8 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

KIT BOX

RF-5E TIGEREYE
Scale: 1:32/Kitty Hawk/Materials: IM, PE/Kit No. 32023/Availability: TBA
1:32
controls for the cameras. To be honest I struggled to ind any images of the cockpit

F
ollowing hot on the heels of their well received F-5E and F-5F is this, the
latest addition to that family, the RF-5E Tigereye. Though the sample on the Internet, so the changes may have been seen as too minimal to justify the
examined here is a test-shot that may be changed prior to inal release, I additional cost needed for a new cockpit.
am happy to report that having built two Es and one F version that there I actually enjoyed building this kit in its original form so much, that I went and
is nothing too different from those two kits and also nothing to catch out bought several more completing a further two kits, so that should tell you how it
the modeller with a few kits under their belt. builds. Markings are supplied on two decal sheets there being options for a USAF
Though the basic airframe remains unchanged, a new nose cone is supplied test aircraft in a blue grey camoulage; one in a silver scheme; a Malaysian jet in
that houses the aircraft’s camera’s behind clear, glazed panels. The parts layout is a grey and brown scheme; Singaporean in two tones of grey and inally, a Taiwan-
obviously the same as the other kits in this family and I would recommend that you ese Tigereye in two greys. Weapons are the same as in the previously released
see MAI issue 159 for further details. Plastic is of the normal Kitty Hawk material kits and a good selection is available. A trawl of the Internet and my references
with inely recessed details and really clear glazing. An etched fret provides the showed that these aircraft don’t appear to carry much more than Sidewinders and
seat harnesses, canopy frames and engine details. A single seated pilot igure centreline tank which are included, meaning there will probably be some weapons
could easily ill the cockpit and he is a reasonable resin casting (mine had a hand going into the spare parts bin. As before, all lying surfaces are poseable as
broken off but this will be simple enough to reattach). One thing I noticed was are the engine inlets on the side of the fuselage. Unfortunately, there are still no
that the cockpit is identical to the E version with nothing extra in the way of any intakes to the compressor faces.

VERDICT
This one should make into a great subject and there are a couple of good schemes to choose between although I guess there will be aftermarket markings along
soon, an Iranian or Saudi version being ine choices. Within my example was a set of replacement brass gear legs and these may not be in the production kit. I
can recommend this kit without hesitation. (John Wilkes)

10 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

MH-6M LITTLE BIRD NIGHT STALKERS
Scale: 1:35/Kitty Hawk/Materials: IM,PE/Kit No. KH500002/Availability: All good model shops/Price: TBA
1:35
did not have issues, so I am hoping that when

E
ssentially this is a reissue of their
earlier kit which I reviewed in MAI I build this one I won’t have any problems that
151. Within that build I mentioned that seem to have been caused by my building.
there was 6 main rotor blades and Decals are supplied on a small sheet with all
only two for the tail meaning that this of the markings provided as well as instrument
later version could not be built from the box. panels. An etched fret caters for the pilots’ seat
Fast forward almost a year and Kitty Hawk belts and the gun feed.
has now bought us not only the six blade main The instructions jump about a little and you
rotor, but also the four blade tail rotors along will need to pay attention to them as there are
with a set of 6 resin igures which will opening several pages which show alternatives along
possibilities for some cool little dioramas, the way. Markings are for one black MH-6M,
despite there being little mention of the igures, one two-tone grey MH-6M aircraft and two
especially within the painting guide where they MH-6Ms in black. No units are identiied in the
are completely ignored! instructions. The box has a logo for Werners
All of the parts are well-moulded in grey Wings so I am assuming that this company has
plastic with only inely recessed details, had some input into this release? When you
whereas some of the rivets should be proud of look at the aircraft and its payload of soldiers it
the surface. A set of clear parts are included looks as if it couldn’t carry them, but this is the
and the nose section is very clear. I did ind an normal coniguration with the bench side seats
issue itting this on my previous build but I can- being mounted externally as well as a repelling
not see any update so I am guessing the same frame. There are small differences in this build
issue will plague this release. I have seen and and all of the additions are called out through
spoken to others who have built that kit and the instructions.

VERDICT
This is not a kit I would give to a novice, but someone with several kits in their portfolio should ind little to trouble them unduly. Careful assembly will repay you
with a smart small model of this impressive machine. I am sure that the model will look great as the centrepiece of a diorama and will go well with the future
H-60 Blackhawk kit from the same company. Recommended. (John Wilkes)

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 11

 TRANSFER LIST

EURO DECALS FROM FANTASY PRINTSHOP

www.fantasyprintshop.co.uk

Fantasy Printshop is a regular printer to decal publishers but release decal sheets occasionally under their own Euro Decals banner. We have some more recent additions to their range to show to you this month.

PANAVIA TORNADO GR.4/4A PT2 (SHEET NO. ED-32120)

At this time, as I review this new set of Tornado decals, there is a ● Tornado GR.4 ZA401 with No. 13 Squadron at RAF Marham applied to both sides of the tail fin with Black, White and Green
Tornado formation not far from here flying over RAF Leeming and in 2005. The scheme commemorates the squadron’s 90th stripes. The Tornado’s spine and fin leading edge was painted
RAF Topcliffe on a farewell tour of RAF Stations as, sadly, Tornados anniversary. The base scheme is Dark Sea Grey over Camouflage Satin Black.
bow-out of service. Grey with a spectacular three-colour tail fin. The Yellow central ● Tornado GR.4 ZG756 ‘BX’ with No 14 Squadron at RAF
Aftermarket decal sheets for the 1:32 Tornado are rare so to fans portion of the design is provided on the decal sheet with the Lossiemouth in 2005 wearing 90th Anniversary markings. Again,
of this big kit, this will be a welcome this second new release. At Roundel Blue and Satin Green portions to be painted. This will not we have a very large decal to apply to the Roundel Blue painted
the moment, the Revell kit is the only option but there is a new kit need any precision spacing as most of the demarcation between tail fin in the form of a curved White band running from the front
from Italeri coming over the horizon. This set includes markings the two is behind the decal. tip of the fin to the top corner. The base scheme is again two-tone
for three Tornado special anniversary schemes. The first striking ● Tornado GR.4 ZA543 ‘FF’ with No. 15 Squadron in 90th Grey.
feature of the beautifully printed sheet is the large size of some Anniversary markings when based at RAF Lossiemouth in 2005. ● If you are looking to use this sheet, don’t forget Euro Decal’s
of the items. I wouldn’t use these as my first attempt at applying The base colours at the time were Dark Sea Grey on the upper excellent stencilling sheets that we reviewed recently.
decals!! surfaces with Camouflage Grey undersides. A large fox’s head was

12 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 The three Tornados on the latest Euro Decals 1:32 sheet on show at RIAT 2005.

AVRO LANCASTER 48X24X6 CODE LETTERS & NUMBERS (SHEET NO. ED-32123)
Last month we saw Euro Decals sheets of 1:32 serial numbers arrival of the Wingnut Wings kit towards the end of this year. four sheets or if you wish, individual sheets. See the web site for
and now we have two sheets of those large letters and numbers The standard set of decals is four A4-sized sheets, two of the details.
that appear on the rear fuselage of most Lancasters. These will be alphabet and two of mainly figures 0 to 9. Each letter appears in Thanks to the Fantasy Printshop for sending their new decal
ideal for those who have been wealthy enough to buy a copy of two font styles and the figures are in three different styles. sheets for review. See their web site: fantasyprintshop.co.uk or
the Hong Kong Models Lancaster or are getting prepared for the Worthy of a mention is the fact that you can buy the full set of phone 01208 77772 for availability.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 13

 TRANSFER LIST

BULLSEYE MODEL AVIATION

www.spruebrothers.com

It is rare that we are able to introduce a new decal producer but this
month we have two very impressive sets of decals from Bullseye to
review. The decal sheets carry the cartograf imprint and make very
impressive, well presented packages with a wide choice of F-16 and
F-15 individual aircraft.

31ST FIGHTER WING RETURN WITH

HONOR (SHEET NO. 48-007)
(31ST FIGHTER WING VIPER HISTORY)
F-16s with the AV (Aviano in Italy) tail code were regular visitors to UK
air shows back in the day. This impressive set consists of a large main
decal sheet and a small sheet of the main stencilling items for two F-16
models. Then there are six two-sided colour instructions sheets, roughly
A4 size. In this set there are 14 individual F-16s from which to choose
with some eye-catching tail markings on several of them. These cover a
period from 1994 to 2012 and are intended to fit the 1:48 Tamiya kit but
should fit almost any kit. As well as the standard placement instructions
sheets, there is a sheet of stencilling instructions, one showing weapons
configurations and one explaining variations within Block 40 F-16s. With
the exception of the first on the list that is in the old three-colour grey
scheme, all of the others are in two-colour grey.

● F-16CG 89-2001 in the old three-colour grey scheme with the AV tail
code and 31 FW in blue and yellow lettering and the unit’s Wyvern badge
also in blue and yellow. 555th FS, Aviano 1994.
● F-16CG 89-2001 with grey and white AV, 31 FW and Wyvern emblem
on the tail. 510th FS, Aviano 1997.
● F-16CG 89-2001 with grey and white AV, 31 FW and Wyvern emblem
on the tail, mission markings and “Guardian Angel” artwork on the nose.
510th FS, Aviano 1999.
● F-16CG 89-2001 with grey and white AV, 31 FW and Wyvern emblem
on the tail, mission markings and amended “Guardian Angel” artwork on
the nose. 510th FS, Aviano 2003.
● F-16CG 88-0532 with 32 OG in grey and white lettering and a large
lightning flash on the tail. 555th FS, Aviano 1997.
● F-15CG 88-0532 as 05 but with mission markings added and different
colours to the lightning flash. 555th FS, Aviano 1998.
● F-16CG 89-2016 with a wide blue band with white stars across the
tail fin and 16 AF in grey and white. 555th FS, Aviano 1999.
● F-16CG 89-2016 with a grey band with white stars running diagonally
up the tail fin and 16th Air Force and AV in grey and white. 555th FS,
Aviano 2000.
● F-16CG 89-2137 with a map of Italy, AV and 31st OG in grey and white
on the tail fin. 510th FS, Aviano 2002.
● F-16CG 87-0351 with a white lion holding a sword and AV 31 OSS in
grey and white letting on the tail. 555th FS, Aviano 2001.
● F-16CG 89-2137 with AV and 31 OG in dark grey lettering on the tail.
510th FS, Aviano 2007.
● F-16CG 89-2016 with AV and 16 AF in dark grey lettering on the tail.
555th FS, Aviano 2006.
● F-16CG 89-2001 with AV and 31 FW in dark grey lettering on the tail.
510th FS, Aviano 2006.
● F-16CM 89-2009 with AV and 31 FW in dark grey lettering on the tail.
510th FS, Aviano 2012.

14 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

DESERT STORM EAGLES (SHEET NO. 48-008)(31ST FIGHTER WING VIPER HISTORY)
As the F-16 sheet reviewed above, this set of F-15C Eagle ● F-15C EG 85-0125 58th TFS, Tabuk AB, 1991.
schemes is a bumper pack with 24 different Eagles possible from ● F-15C FF 82-0012 1st TFW, Dhahran AB, 1991. ● F-15C EG 85-0094 58th TFS, Tabuk AB, 1991.
this sheet. As well as the individual aircraft markings, there are ● F-15C FF 83-0027 27th TFS/27th AMU, Dhahran AB, 1991. ● F-15C EG 85-0099 58th TFS, Tabuk AB, 1991.
three sets of stencilling that look fairly comprehensive. All are ● F-15C FF 82-009 71st TFS, Dhahran AB, 1991. ● F-15C BT 79-0025 525th TFS/7440th Composite Wing(P),
based on the standard Light and Dark Compass Grey camouflage ● F-15C FF 82-0010 71st TFS, Dhahran AB, 1991. Incirlik AB, 1991.
scheme. ● F-15C FF 82-0021 71st TFS, Dhahran AB, 1991. ● F-15C BT 79-0069 525th TFS/7440th Composite Wing(P),
Before you plan to cover a table with F-15s from this sheet ● F-15C FF 83-0017 71st TFS, Dhahran AB, 1991. Incirlik AB, 1991.
alone, let me stop you there. There are eight aircraft needing FF ● F-15C FF 82-0023 “Maloney’s Pony”, 27th TFS, Dhahran, 1991. ● F-15C CR 81-0046 “Wolfhounds” 32 TFG/32 AMU/7440th
tail codes but only two sets of the standard black only codes on ● F-15C FF 83-0019 71st TFS, Dhahran AB, 1991. Composite Wing(P), Incirlik AB, 1991.
the sheet; two Bitburg Eagles but only one set of BT tail codes, ● F-15C EG 85-0102 “Gulf Spirit” 33rd TFW(P), Tabuk AB, 1991. ● F-15C CR 79-0021 32nd TFG/7440th Composite Wing(P),
etc. Eagles from US mainland bases Langley (FF) and Eglin (EG) ● F-15C EG 85-0104 58th TFS/33rd TFW, Tabuk AB, 1991. Incirlik AB, 1991.
feature with European Eagles from Bitburg (BT) in Germany and ● F-15C EG 85-0105 58th TFS, Tabuk AB, 1991.
Soesterberg (CR) in the Netherlands. ● F-15C EG 85-0107 58th TFS, Tabuk AB, 1991. These decal sets are excellent and those interested in the subjects
The roughly A4-sized decal sheet is packed with markings, ● F-15C EG 85-0114 58th TFS, Tabuk AB, 1991. will love them. Note that they are exclusively available through
enough to keep the most ardent F-15 Eagle enthusiast busy for ● F-15C EG 85-0114 58th TFS, Eglin AFB, 1991 with additional Sprue Brothers Models in the USA www.spruebrothers.com. I’ve
a couple of years. The decals are designed to fit the Great Wall post-war markings. looked at their website and there is some good products on there
Hobby Eagle kit but I see no reason why they would not happily ● F-15C EG 85-0108 58th TFS, Tabuk AB, 1991. as well as the Bullseye decals. Thanks to Bullseye for supplying
apply to any 1:48 Eagle kit with some very minor adjustments to ● F-15C EG 85-0119 58th TFS, Tabuk AB, 1991. their excellent F-16 and F-15 decal sheets for review.
those decals fitting to the tops of the tail fins possibly. ● F-15C EG 85-0122 58th TFS, Tabuk AB, 1991. (Alan Firbank)

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 15

IN PRINT SAMPLES FOR REVIEW
Please send all items for review to the following address: Model Airplane
International, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, LU6
1QX, United Kingdom. Companies in the European Union should also
add our VAT number, which is GB 789 7020 84

Valiant Wings Publishing Ltd

www.valiant-wings.co.uk
■ By Richard A. Franks were released and modified to the TT role.
■ Published by Valiant Wings Publishing Ltd The development of the Tempest in two forms,
■ Guide Price £18.95 those with the chin intakes and those with
■ ISBN 978-1-912932-01-6 radial engines makes an interesting story.
■ 160pp softback, 297 x 210mm The next chapter on Camouflage and
Markings takes us through the schemes with
some good photos (with a few in colour) and

T
his month we have another bumper
book from Valiant Wings and the text. At the end of the chapter is half a dozen
subject is the RAF’s last piston-engine pages of Richard Caruana’s excellent profiles
fighter, the Hawker Tempest. This showing various RAF schemes and concluding
an expanded and updated edition with Tempests in Indian and Pakistani Air
of their Tempest profile published in 2012. In Force service.
seven years the information on the Tempest Considering the Tempest was built in
will not have changed significantly but from the reasonable numbers (1,399) it is disappointing
modelling point of view, things have moved on that only three complete examples remain. The
apace with some significant kit releases. Survivors chapter describes these and others
I invariably expand my aviation and that are in bits awaiting restoration. Locations
modelling knowledge when reviewing these and states of (dis)repair are described in this
books and soon come across facts of which I chapter and it is exciting to read that one or contents of kit boxes. These are supplemented
was unaware until looking at the first chapter. two may fly again. with some excellent colour photos taken during
Early examples of the Tempest were very fast, The next third of the book, looks through a the few restoration projects.
outperforming more or less everything that was surprisingly large number of Tempest kits that This fine profile concludes with the
flying at the time with top speeds not far short have been produced over the years, some by traditional list of kits, accessories, decals and
of 500 mph. Looking through the Evolution makers that I have never come across before. books that have been released over the years
chapters we see that engine development The kits chapter begins with the smallest at and are current to the end of 2018. Amongst
was struggling to keep pace with the airframe 1:144 scale and then to 1:72 of which there these pages is an appendix listing the
design and resulting in delays in getting are dozens and then 1:48 and 1:32. This is numbers of each Tempest variant produced
the Tempest into serious production. When followed by a chapter of kit builds. These are with locations, numbers, dates and serial
finally the Tempest’s specification was at its always excellent and the 1:72, 1:48 and 1:32 numbers. Tipped into the inside back cover is
optimum, the war in Europe was almost over. builds here are fine examples of modelling. a two sided 8 page set of 1:48 plans with the
Tempests would come in two shapes, those Recent releases from Eduard in 1:48 and Tempest Mk. V on one side and the Tempest
with the chin intake (similar to the Hawker Special Hobby’s hugely impressive 1:32 kit are Mk. II on the reverse.
Typhoon) and those with a fuselage shape looked over in detail, coming to honest and This is an excellent addition to Valiant
similar to the Hawker Fury and Sea Fury. unbiased conclusions to each build. Wings’ list of publications, written by modellers
Some Tempests would be modified to cope The Building a Collection chapter follows the for modellers. Anyone with a Tempest kit in
with operating in tropical conditions but only a usual pattern showing the Tempest’s gestation mind or just out of an interest in British aircraft
small number would operate in the Far East. in annotated diagrams, noting the great and will find much of interest between the covers
With the introduction of jet aircraft that were small changes. The chapter ends with the and all for less than the price of a kit. An
faster than piston-engine powered planes, the Tempest V NV768 with its strange-looking impressive piece of work and comes highly
speedy Tempest was recognised as being an ducted spinner. recommended.
ideal aircraft to tow targets so that the new jets Chapter 9 takes the usual In Detail look at Thanks again to Valiant Wings for supplying
could practice gunnery and the TT Tempests the Tempest in minute detail from one end their latest title for review. See specialist
would have a useful role. Post war Tempests to the other, inside and out. With the limited stockist stands at model shows or visit the
would be largely employed in the target-towing number of preserved Tempests much of the Valiant Wings’ web site: for direct online sales
role in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Some contents of this chapter is made up of black details. (Alan Firbank)
of the Tempests had left the production line and white photos and engineering drawings,
and gone straight into storage from which they all very useful to those wishing to add to the

16 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

TOOL BOX

WE TAKE A LOOK AT...

THE VOKPRO DOUBLE ACTION AIRBRUSH WITH 7CC
0.2 MM/0.3 NOZZLES AND 11 PIECE CLEANING SET.
Written and photographed by Jonathan Mock

I
nvest in quality. That’s a mantra that, over time, I have come to appreci- airbrush they bought via eBay or Amazon.
ate that goes back to the days of modelling books advising to buy the Enter VOKPRO, a brand name that was entirely new to me via discussion on
best paintbrushes you could afford, even if it meant skipping a couple of a Facebook group and photos of funky looking red and/or gold airbrushes that
kit purchases to do so. After all, what was the point of spending all that looked too good to be true. I found various models on www.aliexpress.com going
time and money painstakingly assembling your latest masterpiece only for around £12 (including postage) and so decided to take the plunge to see just
to blow it by using some hair-shedding nylon paint brushes bought from the how good – or indeed how bad – something this ridiculously cheap could be.
newsagents for a few pence? Been there, done that. I went for the red model and the rather smallish jiffy-bagged package turned
Fast forward to the 21st Century and the market now seems awash with all up a couple of weeks later. Even unpacked it felt suspiciously light and the box
manner of cheap and unbranded airbrushes. Social media is awash with model- told me little about the airbrush (not even a brand name on view) other than a
lers lavishing time and aftermarket expense on an already not already inconsider- parade of other models and various factory-ticked check-boxes as to the version
ably priced kit, and then hitting problems when trying to paint it with a £20 cheapo contained.

18 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 ORDERING DETAILS: WWW.ALIEXPRESS.COM (PRICE: AROUND £12 UK)

I’d ordered the model with a

mac-valve and the cleaning set that
included nylon and wire reaming
brushes as well as a stiletto device
for clearing out the nozzle. Other
tools in the set included a wrench,
pipette and push-fit hose adapter. At
the very least the accessories were
worth the price of entry!
The brush itself felt very light
when compared to the more reas-
suring solidity of my Iwatas, the
action on the trigger felt positive
with none of the “floaty’ vagueness
so many cheap airbrushes exhibit.
Break down of the parts is as con-
ventional and familiar as any Iwata
and the airline readily accepted one
of my quick-release adapters.
The look of the brush is faultless,
the red finish – which rather shal-
lowly drew me to it in the first place –
looks fabulous and belies its budget
status. But looks can be deceiving,
so how did this thing measure up in
action?
I cleared it through with some
Mr Color thinner and then loaded
up a mix of various Tamiya paints
thinned 60/40 to thinner at around
20/25 psi and dug out an old model
as a test piece. To my surprise the
airbrush performed superbly and the
mac valve worked well, enabling me
to trim the airflow to a trickle. I was
able to spray lines down finely and
consistently.
Closer inspection of the paintwork
showed that the edges of the
demarcations lacked the finesse I’d
come to expect from my Iwatas, but
this was marginal and could easily
have been a lack of time adjusting
the paint/thinner mix and pressure
ratios. Certainly when it came to lay-
ing down basic colours, it did the job.
Cleanup was a doddle, I just blew
some Mr. Color thinner through the
cup, removed, cleaned and lubri-
cated the needle the needle, another
blast of thinner and a wipe around
with a rag and it was as good as
new again. Even the usually aggres-
sive Mr. Color thinner had no effect
on the hot-rod finish of the brush.
So, the question is how well and
how long this airbrush will stand up
to repeated use and how good a
finish can one get from it? There’s
only one way and that’s to prepare a
project that will enable me to record
the painting process and see how
this airbrush performs. And to that
end I ordered the gold model so
that I would be able to do a more
thorough comparative test and see
how two near identical air brushes
will hold up. ■

VERDICT
Initially I’m quite impressed given the ridiculously cheap price. Would I risk it on a major project? No, not without through testing but for some of the more
general tasks on my more experimental models, I’m happy to see what it does. Would I recommend someone buy one as their main airbrush? No, I still think it’s
worth investing in quality and going for something like an Iwata, Sparmax or Badger etc. But in terms of see what a budget airbrush can do… watch this space!

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 19

STAND BY ME
The editor frees up some much needed space on his desk with a simple, cheap and unusual, modelling hack…
Here are some images of the stand that I

A
nyone that knows me well, will tell to sort the problem out, so skipped over to my
you that I hate clutter on my desk, favourite Online retailer to buy a cheap music bought, that is now in use. My only regret is
to the point where it actually makes stand that I could place in front of my desk that I didn't come up with this simple modelling
me want to stop building! So when to hold the instructions. With the stand now hack years ago!
the Airfix 1:24 Hellcat turned up and assembled and in place, it has freed up a large For more information on the Rayzm Sheet
I saw that not only was the instruction sheet proportion of my desk and in the process, Music Book Stand please visit www.amazon.
more like a book in size, the model was also placed everything that I need to see directly in co.uk where you will find this stand, plus many
incredibly large so both completely took over my eye line, rather than in odd spaces across more to suit you modelling and musical, needs!
the surface of my desk, leaving little room for my desk. What a simple idea and all for the
anything else. That being so, I knew that I had princely sum of £10!

20 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

1 2

4 7

1: The instruction sheet and large parts found within Airfix’s Hellcat certainly take up space on my desk;
time for a declutter! 2: After visiting Amazon, this little music stand arrived in this cool storage bag for me
to use. 3: Unbagging the stand, you come across the upper rack… 4: …Which looks like this once folded
out. 5: The fully assembled stand. Putting this thing together takes mere seconds, such is its ease of as-
sembly. 6: The instructions can now be dropped onto the rack and the sprung retainers folded out to hold
everything in place. 7: And finally, here is the stand in front of my desk. As you can see, it doesn’t take up
6 any room at all, even the tripod being mostly out of the way under my desk. Simple and elegant!

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 21

KIT BUILD
BUILT AND WRITTEN BY ROY KINSELLA

SHORT,
VERY LITTLE,
UGLY FELLA
We remember the LTV A-7E Corsair II in Greek service by showing you how to get the
best from Heroes Models’ small-scale kit.
hen I heard that Heroes purists had been starved of a wholly

W Models in Italy were about

to release the venerable
A-7 Corsair as a kit I had
to had to pick myself up
off the floor shortly after. Having already
purchased some of Heroes Models products
I knew this was going to be something
decent rendition of this famously capable,
Cold War light bomber, there was much to
anticipate. There have been other kits, but
all lack the incredible detail found here in
this kit produced by the excellent master
builder Stefano De Rensis, so this resin kit
will satisfy the taste buds of even the most
very special and as 1:144th scale A-7 hardline SLUF fan!

22 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:144
SKILL LEVEL:
Beginner

SPECIFICATION:
1:144 Heroes Models A-7E Corsair II
Kit No. HM-K14401
Materials: Resin
Availability: From website.
Price Guide: 25.00 from heroesmodels.it

BEFORE STARTING:
Mr. Hobby Mr. Cement S
Deluxe Rocket Rapid superglue
Tamiya masking tape
Tamiya cutters
Vetus tweezers Set
Swann Morton No.11 disposable scalpel
Vallejo Plastic Putty
RB Productions Fine Saw
Evergreen plasticard
Alclad Sanding Cloths
Norton 200 grain sand paper
Mr. Surfacer 1200

PAINTS USED:
Mig One-Shot white and Grey primers

Tamiya Acrylics:
XF-53 Neutral Grey
Fabio Santonocito is the owner of one-piece design which even includes one of XF-1 Flat Black
heroesmodels.it, he is also the producer, the most impressive cockpits I’ve ever seen in
product designer, decal designer and historical 1:144 scale, not to mention it’s already cast in Alclad II Lacquer:
researcher for the company’s products. He place so you don’t need to do anything. Later, ALCE307 US Vietnam Camo Medium Green
ALCE308 US Vietnam Camo Dark Green
is also an avid 1:144th scale builder and his I would add the generously detailed ejection
ALCE302 US Vietnam Camo TAN
work has always been very inspiring to me. seat and control stick to complete the office.
ALCE024 RAF Desert Sand (desert pink)
Thankfully he is a really nice and approachable But first, I set off with painting and detailing ALCE314 US Camo Grey
guy too, so I could not wait to find out more this little area before masking it up, not to be ALC-101 Aluminum
about this impending release and how I seen again until the model was complete and ALC-113 Jet Exhaust
might go about ordering it.Having tracked the masking removed. ALC-312 Klear Kote SEMI-MATTE
down Fabio, we got chatting. I informed him Moving on, I attached the main wings to the ALC-310Klear Kote Gloss
I was a big fan of the Greek A-7 Corsair and upper fuselage. Both wings are one complete
surprisingly he immediately offered to produce section and are highly detailed. The inboard AMMO/Mig FS33481 Zinc Chromate Yellow
a unique decal sheet to accompany my kit. flaps are separate and allow you to attach
Various Tamiya Acrylics for detailing
What I ended up with was a Greek Air Force them deployed later. Fit was good, though I did
A-7E Corsair No. 160736, which was a former sand back a little too far on the inside forward Copicmodeller 0.02 Warm Gray pen
US Navy machine delivered in 1993 to the wing roots so I used a tiny bit of filler to close Various Gundam Marker colour pens.
Hellenic Air Force, images of which are readily the little gaps. Various Tamiya Panel Line Accent Colour Washes
available online to view for free which really Next I attached the rear stabilisers, taking
helped me with painting this model accurately care to ensure they were positioned correctly, SOURCES:
as possible. I was incredibly excited, now all I as they should be raised slightly at the ends. Hannants, ebay. Herosmodel. RB Productions.
had to do was wait... Flipping over the fuselage I added the large
blister, which sits just behind the rear wheel
In The Box... bays in the centre of the fuselage.
Only a few days passed and my kit arrived
in a neat and clever little box bulging with Painting And Weathering
mouthwatering resin, everything being Having white primed the wheel bays, I closed
carefully bagged and presented with a very these up using Blue-Tack. I stuck a tooth pick
informative and colourful building guide. Going up the rear exhaust to help me handle the
through this little treasure throve I was amazed build better when painting and I began the
to find a canopy masking set to help the priming process with Mig’s One Shot White
builder with the clear parts as well - now that’s Primer.
pretty awesome straight out of the box! Greek Corsairs use the old USAF South
East Asia camouflage (SEA) pattern overall.
Construction Begins In real life they weathered pretty badly in
Getting started, I washed all the plastic resin some cases and this is what makes the HAF
down with lukewarm soapy water just to machines so interesting for me. I would try and
ensure there was no release agent hidden in replicate the weathering here too.
any of the finer details of the castings. First I thought it would be best to keep the white
up on the bench was the fuselage. This is a base for all the SEA colours I would apply

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 23

KIT BUILD

along the way. I was afraid that if I airbrushed was complete, I felt it just looked too clinical
each colour, then masked that section before and dark to accurately represent a weathered
repeating the entire application again that I Greek Corsair effectively, so I reached for
would loose some of the finer detail along ALCE024 RAF Desert Sand.
the surfaces. So I decided to mask each This paint is a lighter shade than the tan
section entirely as I went along, completing and it would reduce the harshness of the US
Kit contents. This is a simple, perfectly cast resin kit.
those areas of camouflage, whilst keeping the Tan shade. I tried to lighten the centre of each
white base and colour application light and panel more than the outside very carefully and
consistent. cautiously. When dry, I returned to the panel Vietnam Camo Medium Green and ALCE308
Firstly I started by highlighting the aircraft lines. The RAF Desert application had reduced US Vietnam Camo Dark Green. To achieve the
panel lines using a thin Gundam marker the Gundam markers’ effect dramatically and various panel shading like the tan application, I
pen. Next I airbrushed light coats of Alclad II now all I needed to do was fine-tune the panel just mixed the greens with each and with Black
ALCE302 – US Vietnam Tan over the exposed lines to reproduce that ‘touched-up’ look of the where necessary to replicate the weathering
sections. I used Alclad Mil-Spec over my panel lines which are seen in my reference seen on the tan.
favoured Hataka as the Alclad paint is just that images of the real aircraft. To achieve this I Removing the masking I was very satisfied
much finer and I felt it would be of better use just painted some US Tan along the panel with the result. When completely dry I masked
here. I was not disappointed. I ended up giving lines with a super fine hand brush. Boom! It off the upper surface colours and applied the
these sections a few passes as the Gundam had worked! lower surface colour with ALCE314 Camo
marker was a little too dark and as a result I With the tan dry, I masked it with Blue-Tack Grey.
felt the panel lines were just too dominant. and I repeated the process with the next two Once all the masking had been removed I
After the first application of the tan colour green camouflage shades using ALCE307 US decided to treat my corsair to a little panel line

The wing is applied as one large(ish) section.

Individual flaps add top the detail. The fuselage is superbly cast
in one piece, the cockpit being
supplied in situ.

As with the cockpit, the wheel bays are

finely detailed and accurate.

Construction complete, the model is The first step in painting was to airbrush the
ready to be painted. model with a layer of white primer.

24 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:144
With the panel lines accentuated with Gundam marker pens that
are specially designed for this type of modelling work, the areas
that world remain ‘tan’ were defined with Blue Tack.

The tan colour

in place and
weathered as
described in the
text.

...Beginning with the

The tan could now lighter shade and then
be masked ready the darker green.
for the two shades
of upper surface
green...

The upper surface camouflage is now ready to be masked

and the underside pale grey airbrushed on.

The weathering
incorporated into the
finish can be seen
here.

...And now in
place on the
model!

The especially prepared decal sheet supplied by Heroes

Models can be seen here...
 1:144
KIT BUILD

wash using the excellent Tamiya Panel Line would settle down neatly against the airframe’s
Accent range. This stuff is really magic and I surfaces. I airbrushed a generous application Final Assembly
highly recommend it if you have not already of Alcad II’s Klear Kote Gloss onto the model Happy with the end result I set about removing
tried it as it makes life so easy. I used Black, and left it overnight to dry. There were only a the last of the Blue-Tack and began attaching
Brown and Grey and tried to keep the panel few decals to apply when the surface became the finer details and sub-assemblies. I painted
line colours consistent with the SEA scheme. dry enough to work with, so using my highly the exhaust section with Ammo/Mig Chromate
The end result was very rewarding. detailed and unique Greek decals, I set about Yellow in keeping with my reference photos,
I continued by detailing some various areas applying them to the model. I helped settle the detailed exhaust pipe end looking smart
of the airframe including the numerous black them down no the surface using Micro Sol. once inserted inside. As this was a Greek Air
sections and detailing the main larger intake Once dry, I sealed them in with another coat of Force machine there was no need for the front
using Hataka RAF Green. Klear Kote Gloss. nose wheel tow extension found on carrier
Alongside the main body of the Corsair I The next day I returned to the model and based SLUFs, HAF nose gear being clean,
started the sub-assemblies and the painting airbrushed everything with Alclad II Klear Kote so I simply omitted that small part. Everything
of the smaller parts which would be attached Semi-Matte. This is my preferred flat coat as fitted nicely together and there were no snags.
later on. These included the pylon, stores, opposed to the straight Klear Kote Matte that I decided to leave the canopy open, the clear
two external fuel tanks, the undercarriage and Alclad offer, as I feel the semi-gloss product sections being a little too thick for my liking and
exhaust section. is more than adequate to take the high gloss I did not want to hide the delicately impressive
finish from your build. I always found the detail of the cockpit assembly.
Decal Application straight Matte Kote product leaves a chalky Everything in this build was out of the box, I
Before applying the decals I had to gloss white dusty effect with looks terrible to me so I only added a tiny white aerial that was unique to
the entire airframe to ensure that the decals rarely use that one. HAF machines to the upper fuselage spine. ■

FINAL VERDICT
This is a hugely satisfying kit, both before and after assembly. A true joy to build and ultimately rewarding when
finished. There is an impressive amount of surface and interior detail featured in this kit and very little work
required to build it. The possibilities are endless as to what livery you could paint this model in and I hope we see
some new aftermarket decal sets in the future, as I would certainly love to build more of these A-7s! Rumour has it
there’s already another SLUF being designed by Heroes Models for release later this year. We will keep you up to date
on any announcements.

26 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 EW in the ‘HOW TO BUILD...’ series
How to Build... Available
TAMIYA’S 1:48
SUPERMARINE NOW
SPITFIRE MK.I
When Tamiya released their 1:32 scale Spitfire
Mk.IXc in 2009, they set a new standard for plastic
model kits. As one of the most popular subjects in
the history of scale modelling, we should not be
surprised to find that Tamiya has now released an
all-new Spitfire kit in 1:48 scale.
Tamiya’s brand new 1:48 scale Spitfire Mk.I
delivers innovative design, outstanding detail, an
accurate outline and crisp, subtle surface textures.
This model has nothing at all in common with their
1993 kit.
Between these covers, we provide an exhaustive
step-by-step illustrated guide to building
Tamiya’s 1:48 scale Spitfire Mk.I straight from Only
the box plus tips on painting and weathering.
Plenty of inspiration is offered with two different £14.95
plus p&p
configurations plus a conversion to the Photo
Reconnaissance version with models by Brett
Green and Marcus Nicholls.
Also included are a walkaround of a surviving
Spitfire Mk.I, a
summary of other
Spitfire Mk.I model
kits available in
1:48 scale, a list of
available accessories
and decals plus a
catalogue of helpful
references.

ALSO AVAILABLE Visit doolittlemedia.com for details

FAX:
✁
Tamiya Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I - Pre-order P&P: UK; £2.00
Europe; £4.00
World-Wide airmail; £6.00
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KIT BUILD
BUILT AND WRITTEN BY NIGEL POOLE

SECOND TO
How to get the best from the latest Airfix 1:72 B-25 to hit the model shop shelves, this tim

28 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72
SKILL LEVEL:
Beginner/Intermediate

SPECIFICATION:
Airfix 1:72 North American Mitchell Mk.II
Kit No A06018
Materials: IM
Available from all good model shops
Price guide £24.99

BEFORE STARTING:
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement
MiG Extra Thin Cement
Mr Surfacer 1200
Perfect Plastic Putty
Dspiae Single Blade Cutters
Tamiya Masking Tape
Silhouette Portrait 2 cutting machine.
Tweezers.
Mr Paint Liquid Filler
Ultra Violet curing resin & UV torch

PAINTS USED:
Mr Paint
MRP-131 Interior Green
MRP- 48 Super Clear Gloss
MRP-126 Super Clear Semi matt
MRP-139 Olive Drab
MRP-141 Neutral Grey
MRP-05 Basic black

Alclad 2
ALC 119 Airframe Aluminium

Model Master Enamel

1749 Flat Black.
1782 Brass

Vallejo
63.062 Premium Matt Varnish

Motolow Chrome pen

Various shades of MiG Oil Brushes.

AFTERMARKET ITEMS USED:

Master Barrel AM-72-001 Browning M2 .50 Calibre
barrels ( 3 packs)
Uschi 4007 Super fine rigging line 0.001 mm OD.
Reheat generic decal placards
Airscale AS48 PLA Generic WW2 Allied Cockpit
Placards

NONE
T
he Airfix 1:72 North American B-25 C/D Mitchell,
was originally released last year (2018) in markings
befitting that of an aircraft in USAAF service. The
release didn’t attract much attention at the time,
as it was overshadowed by the release of the
Airfix Phantom . Once more the release of this kit has been
overshadowed again, by the release of Airfix’s new Hawker
Hunter. Which is an absolute crying shame, as this is one of
Airfix’s hidden gems.
Now reissued with markings for two aircraft used by the RAF, and
designated the North American Mitchell Mk.II. The only things that
have changed from the original release is the box art, instructions
and decal sheet. The plastic parts are exactly the same. And what

me the Mitchell Mk.II. Let’s get started!

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 29

KIT BUILD
a lovely piece of tooling the plastic parts are. years. The reheat decals were thick and of
My kit was completely free of sink marks, and very low resolution, comprising little more than The engine nacelles assemble easily and are accurate
not a hint of any short shot pieces anywhere. white circles and lines on a black background. and well-detailed once complete.
With restrained panels lines and minimal rivet Oh, and they wouldn’t stick without copious
details amounts of Micro Set. Finding nothing suitable
on the reheat sheet for the bombsight, I had
Getting Started another look through my decals and came
As is the norm with most aircraft kits, I began across an Airscale sheet. What a difference
with the cockpit. For the scale and price point, 11 years can make! It’s like going from the old
what is offered from the box is exceptional. black and white television I had in my bedroom
Navigation lights for the aircraft’s wing leading edges.
With the bombardier’s position being very well in the seventies, to the modern 4k set I have Careful assembly and painting gets the best from these
appointed. The bulkheads all click into place in my living room now. Rich in colour, thin, with tiny sub-assemblies.
with clever engineering ensuring they are unbelievably fine details, they settled down
squarely fitted. Once the majority of the cockpit perfectly without any decal solutions.
was built up it was primed and sprayed with Once the decals were dry another gloss
MRP’s U.S. Interior Green (MRP-131). Then coat was applied to seal them in and to ensure
the various control panels picked out with they would stay in place. A wash was then
Model Masters Enamel black paint. applied using Mig’s Star Ship Filth oil paint,
I like using enamels for this type of work, thinned with white spirits, the acrylic gloss
as enamels tend to be denser in pigment and coats ensuring that the black enamel paint
That, and you can remove any mistakes with remained unscathed. It is at this point that I put
a drop of white spirits, leaving the acrylic paint the final clear coat on, opting for Mr. Paint’s
underneath unaffected, ensuring razor sharp Semi Matt clear (MRP-126). Then a very light
demarcation lines between the colours of the drybrushing using Mig’s Aluminium oil paint
control panels and side walls. Everything was on areas which would accumulate wear and
then glossed over using MRP’s Super Clear tear. Putting the aluminium over the top of
Gloss (MRP-48). In anticipation of the decals the semi matt coat ensures that it stays shiny
A clear insert needs to be carefully glued in place
and oil washes to come. If didn’t do this, the and bright. That effectively concludes the
behind the trailing edge of the wing, individual windows
enamel paint would be washed away by the oil construction of the cockpit , radio operators then being masked off as seen here.
paint I heavily thin with white spirits. and bombardiers’ positions.
Eduard offer an interior set for this aircraft,
with pre-painted etch for the various control Bomb Bay And Other Details...
panels and bombsight. But not having it to The bomb bay area is then built up. The detail
hand, I opted to use some old instrument here is absolutely exquisite. Using layered
decals from the long out of production reheat parts to add depth, the use of washes and old
range. Picking some appropriate looking school drybrushing to makes the detail pop. I
instruments, they were cut to size and applied went slightly heavier on the drybrushing here
accordingly. It was at this point that I became than I would normally as the area in which the
aware of the leaps and bounds that have been detail sits is in a particularly dark area of the
made in relation to decals over the last ten model. At this point you fit the bomb bay side

The decals are superb, well-designed, well-printed

and accurately coloured. Our model was finished in the
colours and markings of FL212 EV-W ‘Nulli Secundus’
180 Squadron, RAF Dunsfold, 1943.

Cockpit assembly began with the inner walls

and rear bulkhead. Interior green paint is the
colour of choice in this area of both the real
aircraft, and the model.

30 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72
The cockpit is very
well appointed, with
only the need for
seat harnesses to
complete it.

walls to the fuselage inners,

if following the instructions.
However, I opted to leave them
to one side. As they can be
easily slid in and out and I was
a man with a plan...
Before closing up the fuselage
I would strongly recommend
deviating from the instructions with
regards to the fitting of the fuselage
inserts: fit them before bringing the fuselage
halves together! The fit is perfect so you can
just pop them in and run a bead of liquid
cement around their edge, allowing capillary
action to do its work. Doing this now allows
you to mask and paint the interior of them,
this ruling out the chance of light pollution and
giving them a sense of depth along the way.
As with all of my builds, where possible
I replace the gun barrels with aftermarket
items. This kit being no different, so I
substituted those supplied by Airfix with The fuselage can then be closed up, with barely any weight on the nose wheel.
those from Master. The beauty of using these no major problems being noted. Fit around Airfix would have you now move to the
turned brass barrels, other than the visual the cockpit parts is tight, but not problematic. construction of the wings, but I chose to
enhancement. Is that they can be added Before you do though, don’t forget the nose stay with the fuselage. Fitting the clear nose
during the completion of the build after the weight. Cram as much as you can, wherever parts and pilot’s canopy. The way Airfix has
glazing is fitted and masking tape finally you can! As well as the front gear bay engineered these, has the modeller in mind.
removed. This aided me greatly when masking suggested by Airfix. I ended up fitting ballast in The pilot’s canopy extends past the front
prior to painting. the wing and engine nacelles, and still there’s windscreen, joining up with the bombardier’s

The same can be said for the bombardier’s position, which was further enhanced by the use of Reheat and Airscale decals.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 31

KIT BUILD

Panel line detail over the surface of this kit is superb! With super-clear glazing in evidence, additional fine detail within Using turned brass Master barrels elevates the level of detail,
the cockpit is more than worthwhile... whilst simplifying the work needed to mask the canopy.

Micro seams can be easily treated with an application of an enamel paint, allowed to dry and then sanded back before polishing with With all openings masked, the model is ready to be painted.
fine grade abrasive paper. I prefer to use a black paint as it’s easier to observe your progress.

canopy. This makes construction far couldn’t be avoided though, between the nose The horizontal tailplane was then itted.
easier, and dealing with any problems less section and the bombardier’s canopy. To ill Which proved to be a drop it and completed
problematic. Just remember to pick the right them with a conventional iller posed a problem the construction of the fuselage.
canopy and nose section for the version you as they were visible on the inside as well as
are modelling. the outside, so any iller used would also be Wing Construction
Fitting these clear sections allowed me to try visible. This being so, I took a leap of faith Now I turned my attention to the wings. I taped
out a new weapon in my arsenal, Ultra Violet and opted to try using the UV resin to ill the them together and proceeded to dry-it them
curing resin. This is essentially an epoxy resin, gap. Allowing it to slowly wick into the gaps, to the fuselage, thus conirming my suspicions
which only dries when exposed to an ultra before zapping it with the UV torch. Building that I could deviate from Airix’s method of
violet light source. In this case a UV torch that the layers up until the gap was illed and construction, building up the wings in their
I had purchased for this very task. Applying perfectly level. The resin drys so clear, that the entirety, before sliding them onto the wing
the resin with a tooth pick along the edge of join between resin and clear part is seamless, spars protruding from the fuselage. I just felt
the clear parts, they can be manipulated into invisible even. This meant, that when I painted that to build the wings up around the spars,
position, for an indeinite period of time. Once the canopy frames the interior colour, it could was to invite it problems, which could be hard
happy with their itment, shine the UV lamp on be seen through the resin used to ill the gap, to deal with.
them and within 15-20 seconds the resin cures as well as through the plastic parts – just what The wings have some neat little engineering
rock hard and crystal clear. I was after. I can see a bright future for this UV features, such as the undercarriage leg
There were two small areas where gaps curing resin in my modelling arsenal. itment. Here, the nacelles are used as jigs to

I now produce my own masks where possible. Preferring the level realism painted on markings provide. With the masks in place, the blue of the roundels can be sprayed on using MRP paint...

32 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72

...Followed by the white... ...And finally, the red.

ensure correct alignment and fitment of them. with two different styles of engine nacelle.
The fitment of the nacelles is a little scrappy in Once again, check your reference’s and the
the area of the wings leading edge, but nothing instructions to confirm the correct type for the
a dab of filler and five minutes work with a aircraft you wish to depict.
sanding stick won’t remedy. This for the main part, concluded the
That done, the wings were offered up to the construction phase, which for me, would prove
fuselage. I found the fit to be so good, that I to be the starter course, with the paint and
considered fitting them after I had completed weathering being the main course.
the main painting. But finally, caution got the I mentioned earlier that I had a plan for
better of me and I fitted them now. the bomb bay. Airfix has chosen to supply
Also worthy of note, is the different engine the bomb bay doors in two options: the open
exhaust configurations able to be modelled option, with the doors attached to the interior
for each variant. With two different inserts bomb bay walls, and the closed option as a
available for the wing’s nacelles, along single piece. Not fitting the open option earlier,
With the painted-on markings complete. The whole of
the airframe is gloss coated in preparation for decals and
weathering.
The kit’s plastic gun were
all improved with Master
brass parts.

I no longer paint
brass barrels.
But simply place
them into a
bath of metal
burnishing fluid, as
traditionally used
by AFV modellers
to blacken tracks.
This serves to
preserve detail
This clever little jig is perfect for holding the model as the and give a more
larger parts are glued in place. realistic finish.

The engines, whilst

low in part count. Are
not short on detail,
which is brought
to the fore. When
highlighted with
some sympathetic
dry brushing, using
Migs Oil brushes Gun
Metal.

All major components are now painted, decalled and

glossed - time for some weathering!

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 33

KIT BUILD

The B-25 is a tail-sitter with not a lot of room to squeeze the

required amount of ballast in, requiring me to find hollow areas
forward of the main landing gear.

allowed me to temporarily fit the closed option

in place, having it act as a protective mask for
the painted interior detail.

Painting, Weathering And Decals

The paint scheme for the aircraft I wanted to
Propellers assembled and now being carefully painted.

depict is a simplistic Olive Drab over Neutral

Grey, with black de-icing boots on all the
leading edges, for which I used Mr Paints MRP-
139, MRP-141 and MRP-5 respectively, sealing

The upper turret

is well-detailed,
repaying careful
assembly and
The level of detail painting. Note the
in the bomb bay is appearance of the
fantastic. The side replacement Master
walls can be slid into barrels.
the fuselage at the end
of the build.
Not mentioned on the instructions, is the requirement to
paint the base of the turret’s Perspex section.

them in with Mr. Color Super Clear GX-100. It’s both the upper and lower surfaces, along with was taking, it was allowed to dry overnight.
the first time of using this as a gloss coat, but areas that accumulate prominent streaking. Before coating with Mr. Paint Semi Matt clear.
it won’t be the last. Drying as its name implies, The third layer employed the use of which (MRP-126). This particular varnish was picked
super clear and rock hard. Giving the perfect I can only describe as fine mottling masks, or as, being semi matt it has a microscopically
surface for the application of decals, which were to give them their official title: Iwata-Medea rougher surface than a gloss. This gives oil
in turn, a delight to work with. Artool, Freehand Airbrush Templates, Texture paints a surface to grab onto, allowing the
Now for the fun part. I’m no expert at heavy Fx Mini Series. Using the thinned Tamiya clear fifth layer to be more easily applied, or at least
weathering, having never really done it before. smoke once more, in conjunction with these that’s what I hoped, as I had never done it
But this aircraft demands it. So, heading off templates, I created the random speckled before!
into uncharted waters I set sail, choosing to effect. I love Tamiya clear smoke because Layer five dealt with the heavy staining seen
apply the weathering in a series of layers, that it’s such a versatile medium, which can be around the area to the rear of the engines.
I hoped would give depth and interest to the used for a variety of effects. In this instance it Fuel filling points, and various vents. Applying
finish. was used to create a tonal variation over the Mig’s black oil brusher paint, un -thinned to
Working from photos I started with the first underlying paint, the heavier the application these areas. It was steadily worked in the
layer of weathering. Using US Interior Green the more pronounced the tonal shift. The direction of the air flow, using a large round
(MRP-131) heavily thinned with Mr. Color fourth layer consisted of nothing more than brush. Once happy with the effect, it was
self-levelling thinner, I sought to break up the a heavy wash over the complete airframe. sealed with Vallejo’s Premium Matt Varnish.
monotone finish of the olive drab, applying it as Not a pin wash of panel lines, but a complete Usually the application of a matt varnish
dictated by photographs. The same was done overall heavy covering. Allowed to dry then would signify the completion of your paintwork,
once more, this time using heavily thinned buffed away with cotton pads. This served to but not in this case as I wanted to simulate the
RAF Dark Earth (MRP-108). tie everything that had gone before together. wet look associated with leaked oil. This was
It was then time to work on the second layer, Subtlety blending all the layers applied thus achieved by applying Mr. Paint’s Gloss clear
consisting of heavily thinned Tamiya smoke (X- far. varnish (MRP-48) in a streaking effect to the
19). Picking out some random panel lines on Happy with the direction the paintwork rear of the engines and other prominent areas

34 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72

Oil paints help bring the surface finish too life. Using gloss and matt varnishes can bring areas to life. The application of a gloss varnish to the rear
of the engine, adds to the belief that this is oil.

The completed bomb bay reveals its stunning level of detail. Note the weathering under the model and Here the overall effect of multiple layers of weathering can be seen. Bringing a sense of depth and
how carefully applied washes have brought out the panel line detail. age to the paintwork. Along with the paint chipping which occurs on the rear of a propeller blade.

The use of the Iwata produced masks

are perfect for producing striking
weathering effects.
KIT BUILD

36 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72
where this would occur. which it is supplied, too large to achieve the
Finally, a random application of Mig’s Oil accuracy we as modellers demand. Finally,
Brush Aluminium was applied, by means of small details on the landing gear were picked
a sharpened cocktail stick, simulating paint out with a pin wash of Tamiya clear smoke.
flaking on the front of the engine cowls. This Mixed with Alclad Aqua Gloss.
chipping was kept to an absolute minimum. The tyres are a bit of a let down (groan!!).
Looking at various period photographs, it was Whilst they are nicely flattened, to simulate
apparent, that whilst the paint on these aircraft weight applied to them. The tread pattern
faded dramatically. It didn’t tend to flake off to doesn’t extend past the side walls, fading
reveal bare metal airframe, such as Japanese out significantly before the centre. If I were to
aircraft of this period. build this kit again, I would definitely use those
With the main paintwork and weathering manufactured by Eduard from their Brassin
effects completed the finish line was insight. range.
With the gear doors, entry hatches, turrets
Final Assembly and guns barrels fitted. The last thing to add
The landing gear was painted with Alclad was the antenna cable, using Uschi super
airframe aluminium. This is a darkened fine thread, which is 0.001mm in diameter.
metallic shade, and being such fits in nicely Possessing an elastic quality, it’s resilient and
with the heavy weathering applied to the hard to break.
airframe. To simulate the chrome of the oleo The fitting of the antenna cable is something
piston, Molotow chrome was decanted from of a symbolic act for me. It’s always the final
a pen and applied by paint brush, to ensure thing I do and signifies the completion of a
accurate application. I find the pen nibs in model. ■

FINAL VERDICT
I really like this kit a lot! It’s
such a shame that more popular
subjects have overshadowed its
release each time. The fit is good and
level of detail very high. If I were
to criticise one thing, it would be
a lack of surface detail with regards
to rivets on the airframe, but I
appreciate that’s purely a personal
thing.
You will have noted that I have put
this into the beginners/intermediate
range, something which may leave you
slightly confused with the amount of
work I have put in. But in essence,
the kit is vice free, builds easily,
has a wealth of detail and a simple
paint scheme and is thus perfect for
a newcomer to the hobby. What pushes
things into the intermediate level is
the finish I wanted to achieve, and
the techniques used to get there.
The subject matter is more than
interesting, allowing your artistic
side to run amok when it comes to the
weathering. It was my first time that
I have depicted an aircraft in such
a dirty state and I enjoyed learning
and employing new techniques. It also
helps that I’m extremely happy with
the results, which is unusual, as I’m
my own worst critic.
Thanks to Airfix for the review sample
built this month.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 37

KIT BUILD
BUILT AND WRITTEN BY MIKE WILLIAMS

Following our look at the Phantom FGR.2 in RAF service in the last issue, we build
the 1:72 Airfix kit, finishing it in arguably the finest scheme ever to grace this
iconic Cold War jet.
ollowing on from their successful intake splitters as well as the small vents fine, so I was happy to use them. Each of the

F Royal Navy Phantom FG.1,

Airfix has seen fit to reissue
their Phantom as the RAF
FGR.2 including an extra sprue
containing the EMI recce pod and the
SUU-23A gun pod that were used on the
FGR.2, as well as the different tail with the
just forward of the Spey exhausts. Since
the FG.1 release a resin correction set from
Aerocraft has become available. A set of
these was duly ordered and while I waited
for them to arrive, I cracked on with the
cockpit and other sub-assemblies such as
they are.
ejection seats comprise four pieces and just
need a little care with paint to bring them to
life, the rest of the cockpit is cleverly designed
and fits together without fuss. The cockpit
was painted medium grey, the decals applied
for the instruments and then the whole unit
treated to a wash to add depth and lift the
RWR fairing and ILS antenna. A curious details. Seats could now be added and the
omission is the nose radar that was Cockpit Interior whole lot set aside to dry out.
included in the FG.1 kit. That aside, it is The cockpit is a fair rendition of the real
still the cracking little 1:72 Phantom from thing, with decals supplied for the instrument Gas Bags And Baggage Pods
Airfix that has excellent details and lacks panels and side consoles. Though the decals I wanted to make the FGR.2 in the famous
a few in some obvious places. Notably the look a little flat and two dimensional, with scheme of the 60th anniversary of the first
vents that should be above ad below the air the canopies closed as seen here they look transatlantic flight by Alcock & Brown (which

38 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72
SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate

SPECIFICATION:
Airfix 1/72 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2
Kit No. A06017
Materials: IM
Availability: www,airfix,com and all good model
and toy shops
Price £24.99

BEFORE STARTING:
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement Quick setting
EMA Plastic Weld
Tamiya masking Tape
Swann-Morton Scalpel No.3 handle with no.11
blades
Wilder pointed tweezers
MFS Sponge sanders
Vallejo Plastic Putty
Micro drill and bits
Super glue

AIRBRUSH:
Iwata Revolution CR
Bartsharp 180

PAINTS USED:
Tamiya Fine White Primer
Tamiya X-7 Gloss Red
Mr. Color 322 Light Aircraft Grey
Mr. Hobby H5 Blue
Mr. Hobby H77 Tire Black
Mr. Color GX112 UV cut clear gloss

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 39

KIT BUILD
There is a surprising
amount of parts to go
into the cockpit. Some
parts are very delicate
and need care when
removing from the
parts trees.

Following the Aerocraft instructions as to where to cut the

kits parts, I marked them in red to keep it simple.

The cockpit was painted as per the instruction colour

callouts. The instrument panels were the kit decals and need
a little trimming as they were slightly oversized.

After a few trials I found the resin intake plates were

best fit to the fuselage halves first, this allows for easier
alignment for the outer sections later in the build.

It is hard to make out, but you can see the difference

here between the intake plates. The fit is pretty much the
same for both plastic and resin parts.

It soon became clear that these machines obviously this kit – are the missing vents
carried three drop tanks each which makes on the intake splitter plates and the small
sense given the longevity of the transatlantic panels just forward of the Spey exhausts. The
crossing, however I noticed ‘424 had some Aerocraft correction parts are simple, like-for-
Just taped on, the outer intake parts fit quite well, though sort of tank or pod slung under the inner like replacements and fit into the same points
may need a little fettling to seat correctly into place. starboard pylon. A few questions posted on on the fuselage as the plastic parts, but do
Facebook turned up the info I needed that need a little care to clean them up and make
it was a baggage pod which are normally sure you cut the kit intake parts at the correct
was displayed at the International Air Tattoo converted from disused stores including point to fit them properly. The accompanying
RAF Greenham Common in 1979) using such things as napalm tanks! Having nothing pictures will tell you far more than my words
Xtradecal’s sheet X72297. A quick search on suitable in the spares drawer I raided a 1:72 can, suffice to say that they were a relatively
my new favourite image search app Pinterest Etendard kit and cut down one of the drop easy installation that make a quantum
furnished me with lots of great reference pics tanks from it and after some careful cutting, difference on the finished model. Adhere to the
to download. There were two aircraft painted gluing and sanding a suitable shaped pod was old adage “measure twice, cut once” and you’ll
in this scheme, XV424 and XV486 that served ready to add, just a small modification to the not go far wrong, though.
as the back up machine, though both aircraft pylon being needed (see photos). Fix the splitter plates to the fuselage halves
made the flight. As 2019 marks the 100th first, then offer up the outer intake sections
anniversary of the first crossing it seemed apt Intakes And Splitter Plates sanding the mating surfaces until they fit
to make this machine as a fitting tribute. The glaring omissions from the FG.1 – and properly and slot into the fuselage halves.

40 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72
Follow the Aerocraft instructions to the letter
as there are a couple of small pieces that The intake tunnels are fixed into place, as is the
need removing to allow the resin pieces to fit completed cockpit tub. Note the recess in the nose from
correctly. Once they were installed the fuselage the previous FG.1 release for the radar that’s missing
from this kit.
can be closed up and the upper centreline
panel glued in place. This could fit better and
so required a little bit of careful flexing of the
fuselage halves to get it to seat correctly and
close up the small gaps. Filler could have been

With the fuselage together, it needs the spine insert fitting

relatively soon after to help the fuselage’s integrity as it is
a little ungainly until this panel is glued in place.

used however it was a matter of minutes with

Plastic Weld to ensure a snug fit.

Wings And Things...

When it comes to the wings there is an insert
straddling the belly of the aircraft and the wings
with a strengthening strap fitted to the FGR.2,
be sure to select the correct part as there are
two pieces that are very similar. If you dry fit the
piece to the wings you’ll notice it sits proud of
the rest of the wing surface whereas it should
be flush, a few minutes with a flat, coarse correctly located. The fit of the forward fuselage positively as do the outer sections followed by
sanding stick and repeatedly dry fitting has it lower section around the nose gear bay needed the flaps and leading edge slats, both of which
sorted. This can now be brought together with some putty to eliminate some gaps just behind can be posed open and drooped if you wish. I
the fuselage. It took a little wiggling, but it fits the nose cone, but it was literally a smear of closed the leading edge slats as the scheme
with a positive click and you’ll know when it’s Vallejo plastic putty. The upper wings then fit I was to use would be tricky to get the decals

The underwing insert that features the strengthening strip, The underside wing strengthening strip section needs careful A fair amount of putty was employed to smooth over the joint
needs a little sanding to allow it to sit flush within the wing alignment so that the outer wing sections will fit properly later between the intake plates and their undersides, as well as the
recess. A coarse sanding stick made simple work of the step in in the build. nose to lower fuselage joins. Care was taken to ensure no details
construction. were lost during the clean-up operation that followed this step.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 41

KIT BUILD

The outer intakes fit nicely with only a hint of putty being Despite the somewhat agricultural look of their union, the tail The leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps, are all separate
needed to smooth out the seams. and rudder are superbly strong and sturdy mouldings and fit allowing them to be posed as you see fit. I opted to close them up
easily and positively into the fuselage. to allow for the leading edge markings.

The tailplanes were painted whilst still attached to the sprue to An odd clear moulding for the coaming over the cockpit is The one-piece canopy was easy enough to mask up and attach.
avoid difficult masking when the hot metal areas were painted. employed so HUD reflector needs masking off. This part is a Alternative parts are supplied should you wish to pose the
very tight fit so take care whilst placing it in position. canopies in their open position. Don’t forget to paint the interior
of the cockpit coaming black before fitting it in place.

to conform if opened. With that, the main ILS antenna fitted and this was noted on the decals and thought I would get the largest and
construction was finished, only the horizontal decal instructions. As seen in my photos, I possibly the most complicated to fit out the
stabilisers being left off to ease painting and had to take the drastic measure of cutting, way first. In hindsight I was glad I did as they
masking later on trimming and sanding the tails to the correct simply did not fit, they were some 4 mm short
profile which of course required a repaint in width, much to my horror!
Canopies, Masking And Painting followed by a gloss clear coat to protect the I was even more surprised as these
The cockpit HUD unit and surround was fixed paint and ready the surface for decals. decals had been released specifically for the
in place and sprayed matt black so that the Airfix FG.1 so should have been measured
canopy could be masked and fitted. Alternative Decals That Fit, Or Not! precisely. To that end I carefully cut out the
parts are provided for those wishing to pose It was with some excitement that I started the rest of the major decals to offer up to the
the canopies open, but to keep the smooth
lines for this smart scheme, I used the one-
piece closed unit which fit perfectly.

I’d masked off the hot metal areas and

painted the model in it’s overall Light
Aircraft Grey colour before realising
I’d forgotten to remove the RWR
fairing atop the tail, as well as
the ILS antenna. These were
carefully removed and repainted
as a result...

The metal areas around

the exhausts were first
painted in various metallic
shades before being masked
off so that the rest of the aircraft
could be painted. The Alcock and
Brown aircraft were painted Light Aircraft Grey
overall so it was simple job as regards the
paint job on this model giving it a generous
coat of Mr. Color 322, this was followed by a
dawning realisation that I had fitted the wrong
tail for the XV424; it didn’t have the RWR or

42 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72
model in order that I could check to see if they
would cause problems. Fortunately they all
looked perfectly good and would fit properly
and without issues. Unfortunately, it meant
I had to resort to painting the red, white and
blue leading edge markings and the headache
of getting suitable paint shades to match the
decals.
I masked off the section of the wings to
be painted before decanting some fine white
primer from an aerosol to airbrush it for a solid
base coat, the white section was masked
Masking the wheel bays always seems a chore, but is a The tailplanes are devoid of much detail, some rivets being
off and the blue was painted then masked necessary evil for us modellers. added for interest. These can be added after painting and just
followed by the red. I my haste to get this done freehanded on.
I picked Flat Red from the paint rack which
always dries darker, something I knew but
was unaware I had done until it flashed off. I
left it to dry overnight and slept on it, deciding
that it needed to be masked, sanded back
and repainted with Gloss Red the following
evening.
With a deep breath I remasked the offending
red section and sanded it back with a worn
sanding sponge so as not to inflict too much
damage on the wings, reprimed it with white
and then sprayed on the Gloss Red top coat. I
was still annoyed the decals didn’t fit, but that And it was going so well! The leading edge decals did not fit The leading edge areas were masked up and sprayed with
by some 4-5 mm! They were removed before they had time to white primer, remasked for the red and then finally completed
annoyance was soon replaced with a sense of
dry out. with their blue areas.
achievement having overcome this obstacle,
surprising myself in the process. A quick blast
of clear gloss sealed them in and gave a
uniform finish so the decals could go on.
The following evening I had a relaxing time
adding the somewhat complex decals and
soaking them in Micro Sol decal solvent in the
vain hope they would settle into the engraved
surface details, just over 24hrs later they had
pretty much settled save for the large stripes

Once unmasked and dry I realised I had used matt red in error It was carefully asked and sanded back before being repainted
which always dries darker and looked awful in comparison to with white primer followed by a Gloss Red top coat.
the red on the decal sheet

Mr. Color GX112 Clear Gloss

was airbrushed onto the entire
model to protect the paint
and ready the surface for the
decals. Note the red interiors of
the auxiliary blow-in doors have
been painted at this point.

The decals needed a little persuasion with strong DACO

solution and gentle heat from a hairdryer, but ultimately they
performed well and I was pleased with the result.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 43

KIT BUILD
down the fuselage sides that sweep up to
the tail, I guess given the complexity of the
fuselage shape and the size of the decals I cut n’ shut a spare drop tank
from a 1:72 Etendard kit in my
I was being a little optimistic they would go
collection for the baggage pod
down properly first time. I resorted to Daco that was carried by XV424. I had a
strong solution and gave them a helping hand couple of goes before I arrived at
with a warm hairdryer to encourage them to a shape I was happy with.
settle with heat shrinking.

She’s Got Legs!

The undercarriage legs were all painted and
weathered in situ and fitted very solidly into the
wheel bays with perfect, positive locating pins
even a ham-fisted modeller such as I couldn’t
get these wrong. The wheels have subtle
moulded-in flat spots and were all painted and
fitted with no issues as were the undercarriage
doors. The nose gear bay and to a lesser The pylons were suitably modified
to leave one empty and the other
extent, the main gear bays, lack details and for the baggage pod.
look almost toy-like and are in my opinion,
some of the weaker points of this kit. No gear
door retraction arms are included which are
quite prominent on the Phantom especially in
the main gear bays. The speed brakes were
fitted in their drooped position as they tend This was my first attempt, I modified it and adjusted the pylon before settling on a finished item.
to bleed off hydraulic pressure when parked
and gravity takes over. I added a light wash to
some of the panel lines more for definition than not meeting at the tips, so I needed to touch add uniformity to the finish and blend the
for weathering per se as these aircraft were them in with paint and a fine brush as best decals with the painted sections. The tanks
immaculate and any photos you see show I could. It looks acceptable on the finished and pylons and baggage pod all fitted as
them in that fashion. model, but I really was not happy with them advertised and the canopies were unmasked
The tailplanes received some light rivet and would happily have left them off had they before the final details were painted such as
treatment for interest as they looked very not been such an integral part of this scheme. the tail mounted anti collision light and the
bland before being fitted with superglue into UHF antenna in the fuselage spine – the only
their recesses. Finishing Touches external difference between the two aircraft:
The tanks were another headache as A finishing coat of Semi Gloss varnish one was white and one was black. ■
regards the decals, once again they didn’t fit; was airbrushed on to seal everything in,

Mig PLW washes were used

on certain areas to enhance
the details. Light, medium
and deep grey shades were
used to keep it subtle.

44 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72

FINAL VERDICT
I am very pleased to finally have this smart scheme on a Phantom in my collection, but boy did it seem like
hard work to get there. Some of it due to the kit’s shortcomings, but then exacerbated by the undersized
decals, but ultimately it came good in the end. The kit as it stands is a mixed bag, what it lacks in details
such as the bare undercarriage bays and missing intake vents it makes up for with excellent fit of parts and
accurate shapes and contours. The panel lines my be a little deep for some tastes and the cockpit is a bit
clunky, but under a closed canopy its more than adequate. I can certainly see how some folk see this as an
overly complex build on the one hand, but on the other it builds really nicely if you take your time and
ensure each piece is adequately cleaned up and dry-fitted before committing to glue.
This kit seems squarely aimed at the (dare I say it) entry level modeller. To a seasoned modeller such as I,
maybe the expectation was just a little too high...
Thanks to Airfix for the review sample built this month.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 45

KIT BUILD
BUILT AND WRITTEN BY MARCUS JELLYMAN

CASA’S AVI
We take a detailed look at this wonderfully elegant little transport aircraft,
finishing it in the smart colours of the Centre d’Essais en Vol (Flight Test Centre)
based at Istres in the South of France. Let the fun begin!
he Azur CASA 212-300 is a series 300 boxing. The dimensions of the Quality of the plastic and moulding is first

T re-boxing of the Special Hobby

CASA 212-100 kit and alongside
French company FFROM has
produced the French inspired
completed model are not huge (around 210
mm x 275 mm) however the box is bulging
with parts for many different variants for the
CASA 212.
class with no hint of flash whatsoever, even
on the clear parts. Included are Decals for
four aircraft including F-ZVMO and F-ZVMP
from the Centre d’Essais en Vol (DGA Flight

46 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72
SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate

SPECIFICATION:

IOCAR
Azur/FRROM – 1/72 CASA-212-300
Kit No: FR0040
Material: IM
Availability: Azur Stockists

BEFORE STARTING:
MIG Ammo Extra Thin Cement
Tamiya masking Tape: 6mm/10mm/18mm
Gunze-Sangyo Mr.Mark Setter
Gunze-Sangyo Mr.Mark Softer
Gunze-Sangyo Mr.Surfacer 500
Squadron White Putty
Flory Models Sponge sanders
Anderson Models Curved sissors
Expo Tweezers
GS Hypo Cement
Olfa-p Cutter
3M Scotch Tape No: 471/06404 3mm
Evergreen stripe
Lion Roar scribing template
ZAP Thin CA
White Tack
Lead Wire
Berkshire Junction – E Z Line- Fine

AIRBUSH USED:
Harder & Steenback Evolution

PAINTS USED:
Mr. Hobby Acrylic:
H15 Bright Blue
H51 Light Gull Grey
Mr.Color Leveling Thinner

Tamiya Acrylics:
X-2 Flat White
X-25 Clear Red
X-27 Clear Green
XF-58 Olive Green
XF-69 Nato Black
X-20A Acrylic Thinner
Fine Primer – Grey
Fine Primer – White

Vallejo:
73.602 Black Primer

Citadel:
Sunburst Yellow
Gryphonne Sepia Wash

Model Master:
4703 Fluorescent Red
Acrylic Thinners

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 47

KIT BUILD
1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

1: The build sequence begins with a choice to be Test Centre), F-HBMP series 300 of CAE new nose section has small tabs on the inside
made by the modeller of either build the model as Aviation, and F-GOGN a series 100 that which when offered up the main fuselage half
a standard 100/200, or 300 series aircraft. 2: With
the decision made to build the series, some surgery starred in the James Bond film ‘The World fit perfectly. I would advise you double check
was required to remove the shorter nose section. is not Enough’. All are printed by Cartograf that everything is aligned before committing
Slicing your brand new kit may seem somewhat and look great with great colour definition. to cementing, but my kit required very little
daunting, but the manufacturer has made life simpler Completing the contents is a small fret of work. To add more strength I cut small lengths
by moulding a channel along which you can run a
scalpel blade. 3: Taking care to remove the nose as photo-etch containing aerials and antennas for of plastic strip and cemented
to make life easier when attaching the new one, both the aircraft, along with some rather neat little these along the joints inside
can be seen here with the longer 300 series item windscreen wipers that will really add some both halves. During
at the bottom. 4: Test-fitting before committing to realism to the completed model. the curing process I
cementing is essential to avoid problems when bring
the two fuselage halves together further down the taped both fuselage
line. I also added a couple of lengths of plastic strip Cockpit halves together to
to add strength to the joints. 5: With the nose sections Before commencing work on the cockpit area, really make sure
curing I taped both fuselage halves together just to some minor surgery is required when building everything lined
be completely sure everything would set lined up
and true. 6: Each fuselage halve was painted with Mr. the series 300 version of the CASA 212. The up perfectly.
Hobby Aqueous H306 Light Gull Grey and set aside to fuselage halves are moulded with the stubby With the
cure. 7: The cockpit section, including the seats was nose section of the 100/200, so these needed fuselage set
painted Mr. Hobby Aqueous H306 Light Gull Grey. With to be removed and the extended nose section aside to cure,
the large cockpit windows of the CASA, it would look
somewhat sparse as it was so a decision was made of the series 300 grafted on. This may seem I moved onto
to add a little detail. 8: Azur supply a set of decals for rather extreme and daunting for a modeller the cockpit by
the instrument panel, this was first painted Vallejo to be cutting up a brand new kit bought with first airbrushing
Black Primer before the decals added. 9: To add some their hard earned money, but the designers all the main
detail to the rather bland seats, I shaped pieces of
white tack to form seat cushions. I then added detail have made the task easier by moulding a components
to each cushion with a scalpel knife before painting channel on the inside of each half along which with Mr Hobby
Tamiya XF-58 Olive Green. a scalpel can be run. In no time both noses Aqueous H51 Gull
were removed and the edges given a very Grey. A decal is
light sanding to remove any sharp edges. The provided for the main

48 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72
Other details added were throttle levers and trim wheels fashioned from Evergreen plastic strip and rod.

10 11

instrument panel, so I began by airbrushing 12 13

the plastic part with Tamiya XF69 NATO
Black. Once dry, I applied gloss varnish with
a brush and added the decal onto the still wet
varnish. On bringing the cockpit parts together
it became clear that the area lacked any great
detail and with the large cockpit windows of
the CASA, the cockpit would be fairly visible
and would really benefit from some added
detail. Both seats were devoid of any detail, so
seat cushions were moulded from White Tack
and shaped with the back of a scalpel blade,
they were then hand painted with Tamiya XF58
Olive Green. For the seat belts I cut lengths
of metal foil saved from the top of a wine 14 15
bottle and superglued these over the cushions
beforehand painting Mr. Hobby Aqueous H15
Bright Blue. Seat belt buckles were fashioned
from lead wire and super glued into place. To
complete the detailing, I added some throttle
levers and trim wheels built from various sizes
of plastic strip and rod. Finally, a thinned wash
of Citadel Gryphonne Sepia was brushed over
the parts to dull everything down.

Fuselage And Wings

Work on the fuselage halves begins with
airbrushing the insides with Gunze Aqueous
16 17
The cockpit parts completed and
ready to be bought together. For
the seat belts I used the metal foil
from the top of a wine bottle cut
into strips and painted Mr. Hobby
Aqueous H15 Bright Blue.

10: The large cockpit windows of the CASA really shows off the cockpit well so adding some minor detailing really added to
the final look. 11: G-S Hypo watch makers cement is my preferred method of fixing the clear parts to the model. There is no
risk of fogging of the parts and gives a great strong bond. 12: To assist with the installation of the cockpit windows, White
Tack was rolled into sausages and use to pick up and locate each panel into place. 13: With the cockpit cemented into place,
some weight needed to be added into the nose section to prevent a tail sitter. 14: Beginning with cementing the tail section,
this was first clamped and MIG Ammo Extra Thin Cement run along the fuselage joint. Time taken here to gain a good flush
joint will reduce time and work required further down the line when cleaning up the joint. 15: The ‘box’ shape nature of the
fuselage makes hiding the seam line more difficult than a standard ‘tube’ type, so some putty from Squadron was applied and
sanded to hide any imperfections. 16: With the fuselage setting I set about cementing the wings, horizontal stabilizers and
engines together. 17: The round shaped windows of the CASA can be a pain to mask and cut with a scalpel knife so I dug out
my old punch set I made a few years ago. It’s a bit crude however one of the punches was the exact size required so used
this to produce masks.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 49

KIT BUILD
H51 Gull Grey, before moving onto the model and sanded smooth ready for some
installation of the clear window parts. I always primer. Any lost panel lines were re-scribed
give these parts a test it to ensure they sit with my Olfa-P Cutter using a steel rule for a
correctly before cementing in place as they will guide.
be a focal point of the inished build. G-S Hypo Before any painting began, the windows
watchmakers cement is my preferred cement required masking. The cockpit windows are
of choice for clear parts as it gives a very fairly straightforward to mask being square
18: The cockpit windows were far easier using small strong bond without the risk of damaging the in shape, the fuselage windows were a little
lengths of Tamiya tape inside the frames before filling
in the remaining area. 19: The wing to fuselage fit is clear parts. For positioning the parts into place trickier, each being round. I decided to use my
very good indeed and even ‘clicks’ into place. A small I use White Tack rolled into a sausage shape home made punch set, and fortunately one of
application of extra thin cement and the stage was which I push onto the part allowing me to the sizes produced a perfectly sized mask for
complete. 20: Tamiya Fine Surface Primer Grey is pick it up and seat it into the window opening. each window. To inish the fuselage the main
my primer of choice, and the entire model was given
several light coats allowing each to dry fully before Next, the cockpit assembly was cemented into gear fairings and gear legs were attached;
the next. 21: For the final white top coat, I again used place taking care not to let any cement run there are two types included in the box, so
Tamiya’s Fine Surface Primer, but this time, White. This onto the clear parts of the glazing. study the instructions carefully to ensure the
gives a beautifully smooth finish and is used by many Before bringing the fuselage halves together correct are ittedcorrect ones are itted.
of the top airliner modellers for their builds.
22: After allowing the white to cure for a couple the instructions call for 20 grams of weight The single piece wing was cemented
of days, the model was masked in preparation for to be added to the nose section to prevent a together with thicker Mr. Hobby Mr Cement
airbrushing the orange day-glo areas. 23: An exciting tailsitter. To cement the halves I irst applied and the wing tip extensions for the series 300
part of the any build with the masking removed. The Mig Ammo Extra Thin Cement to the tail aircraft attached to each end. Both engines
model is beginning to come to life. 24: The anti-glare
panel on the nose, the nose cone and the wing section and bring both halves together and were also constructed and their seams sanded
rubber anti-ice boots were masked and airbrushed clamp with clothes peg, before cementing my before attaching to the main wing section. A
with Vallejo Black Primer. 25: Painting all complete, way along the fuselage seam to the tip of the small amount of iller was needed to gain a
the model was given a coat of Johnsons Klear floor nose. With the square nature of the CASA’s smooth join between the engine nacelles and
polish in preparation for the decal stage. 26: The
engine exhaust areas underneath each wing were also fuselage some work to hide the seam was the wing, but nothing too major. The it of the
masked and airbrushed with Vallejo Black Primer. inevitable, so Squadron Products White Putty wing assembly onto the fuselage is very good
was carefully applied along the length of the indeed and actually clicks into place. Extra

18 19 20

21 22 23

24 25 26

50 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:72
27 28 29

30 31 32

Thin Cement was then run along the joint for any paint bleeding that may have needed
lines and left to cure and at the same time I attention. To prepare the model for decals, I
fixed rudder into place. With the wing curing gave the model a few coats of Johnsons Klear
I assembled the rear horizontal stabilisers floor polish and set it aside for a couple of
and test fitted before setting aside to be fitted days for the gloss coat to set.
towards the end of the build. The two sets of propeller are both made
up of four different colours which began with
Paint It White... a coat of Tamiya XF19 Sky Grey on the front
To begin the painting process I first gave the of each blade set, before spraying the rear
entire model a coat of Tamiya Fine Surface of each with Vallejo #73.602 Black Primer.
Primer Grey. This will not only show any All eight prop blade tips were then masked
A welcomed little addition is that of fret of blemishes and seams that require attention, and painted Tamiya X2 White, and once dry
photo-etch that contains the antennas and aerials
but when sanded smooth will give the final masked again before being painted Citadel
that adorn the aircraft. There is even a set of
windscreen wipers blades that whilst very fiddly top coat colour a super-smooth base to lay on Sunbust Yellow.
to bend and attach, really do add some welcome to. Drying time for the primer is fairly fast so
detail to the finished look. can be sanding smooth with a fine (8000 grit) Decals And Final Assembly
sanding pad ready to be painted white. Like Decals are provided for four different aircraft
27 & 28: Decals are printed by Cartograf and were a all of my airliner builds that are predominantly including the pair of series 300s operated by
joy to use. To assist with the application I used Mr.Mark ‘Euro White’ I use Tamiya’s Fine Surface the Centre d’Essais en Vol (Flight Test Centre)
Setter when positioning each decal, followed by Mr. Mark Primer White straight from an aerosol can. based at Istres in the South of France. The
Some modellers decant the paint from the can decals are printed by Cartograf and are of
Softer which softens and allows the decals to conform to
the models surface. 29: Preparing the model for the final
details and drilling holes to attach the various antennas, and spray it through their airbrush, but the can excellent quality. No issues were encountered
pitot tubes and aerials. 30-32: Nearly there! The wheels method works for me. Light thin coats are the with all decals fitting perfectly onto the model.
and propeller blades have now been completed and are order of the day, letting each dry for a good 15 Gunze Sangyo’s Mr. Mark Setter and Softer
minutes before the next. Once happy with the were utilised, making the process a breeze.
ready for attachment to the model.

coverage I set the model aside for a couple of The ‘Setter’ allows you to move the decal
days for the paint to cure. Next on the paint into position with ease; a cotton bud is then
sequence were the orange day-glow areas, rolled across the decal to remove any fluid
which were masked in preparation. I opted to and air from below the decal that may cause
paint these straight onto the white base for a ‘silvering’. After a few minutes the ‘Softer’
factory fresh look, but you could always paint solution is applied which softens the decal,
a yellow base for a more faded and aged pulling it into any panel lines or contours it may
look. For the day-glow I used Model Master be covering.
#4703 Fluorescent Red thinned with their own The many variants of CASA 212 are
brand of acrylic thinners. For speed I used a covered with a plethora of antennas, lumps
hairdryer to dry these areas before masking and bumps and Azur have supplied these in
the wing leading edge rubber boots and nose both plastic and photo-etched form. There is
anti-glare panel before airbrushing with Vallejo also a set of windscreen wiper blades that
#73.602 Black Primer. Once dry, the masking really add to the finished look of the model.
tape was removed and the model checked Study the instructions carefully for the aircraft

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 51

KIT BUILD

you are building as the four aircraft included

in the kit are very different. Gathering photos
Online will help with the placement of these
items. After checking my references I began
drilling holes in preparation for the very small
parts to be attached. A good set of tweezers
will help, as parts can easily be lost when
being transferred to the model. To add a
little extra detail I decided to add the HF wire
antenna and static wicks using E Z Line ‘Fine’
from Berkshire Junction, for the antenna, and
thin black wire cut into small lengths for the
static wicks. ■

52 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL

 1:72

FINAL VERDICT
From start to finish, the Azur CASA 212 was an absolute joy to build. The kit itself builds very well indeed with filler
only required on the main seam. The well-detailed colour instruction manual is excellent and a joy to read through in
itself. Just make sure you do carefully study them first, as the sections containing each version of aircraft seem to
run into each other and would be better with a title page for each. This is a minor gripe though, and studying the
instructions will highlight the change in version. The box contains a huge amount of plastic, and on completing the
build one is left wondering if they have forgotten to add something down the line. There are so many different CASAs
still plying their trade around the world, and with the scope to build many of them from the box, the possibilities
are endless. I will most definitely be adding a few more of these kits to the stash.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 53

WWW.MODELAIRPLANEINTERNATION
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IN COLOUR…

CASA’S AVIOCAR
WE OFFER A FEW INSPIRING OPTIONS FOR BUILDERS OF AZUR / FRROM’S 1:72 CASA 212 SERIES 300.
WITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARCUS JELLYMAN

D
uring the late 1960s, the Spanish Air Force was still operating a number of outdated piston-engined transports, including the three-
engined Junkers Ju 52 and two-engined Douglas C-47. In order to meet the Spanish Air Force's needs to modernise its transport force,
CASA proposed the C-212, a twin engined 18 seat transport aircraft that would be capable of fulfilling a variety of military roles, including
passenger transport, ambulance aircraft and paratroop carrier, while also being suitable for civil use. The first prototype flew on 26 March
1971. In 1974, the Spanish Air Force decided to acquire the Aviocar to update its fleet.
Airlines took note of the type's success with the military, so CASA developed a commercial version, the first examples of which were delivered
in July 1975. In August 2006 a total of 30 CASA C-212 aircraft (all variants) remain in airline service around the world. The -400 was introduced in
1997 with a glass cockpit and more powerful engines.
In 2010, Airbus Military said it could no longer afford to produce the C212 in Europe and after production in Seville slowed to four in two years, the
last C-212 produced in Spain was delivered in late December 2012 to the Vietnam Marine Police. Over 42 years, 477 aircraft have been produced
for 92 operators. (Wikipedia)

D3B-8 CASA 212 SPANISH SAR AS SEEN IN PALMA, MAJORCA.

As you would expect, the Fuerza Aerea Española (Spanish Air Force) operated many Casa 212s over the years, which included SAR
duties on the Spanish coast and many of the countries islands.

56 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 FULL-SIZE
D3B-8 CASA 212 SPANISH SAR PALMA MAJORCA.
Palma Majorca had a resident Casa 212M-200 that patrolled the local waters, and it was captured here returning to the island in September
2000. The aircraft has since moved on across the Atlantic Ocean and now serves with the Argentinian Army as AE-265.

EC-HAP CASA 212-400MP.

From SAR to Space, with Casa 212-200 Aviocar T.12D-74/54-11 carrying out a spirited departure from Zaragoza Air Base in northern Spain during the 2016 NATO Tiger
Meet back to its base at Torrejón, Madrid. The aircraft is operated by INTA – Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, the Spanish Space Agency.

T12D-74 54-11 CASA 212 -

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE TENICA
AEROESPACIAL - ZARAGOZA.
EC-MAP Casa-212-400MP operated by M.A.P.A – Secretaria General de Pesca
Maritima (Spanish Ministry of Agriculture for Fisheries & Food) was caught
landing at Palma Majorca in 2002 from it home base at Malaga – Pablo Ruiz
Picasso airport.

www.modelairplaneinternational.com 57
KIT BUILD
BUILT AND WRITTEN BY JAMES HATCH

FULLY LOADED

TEMPE Building Eduard’s new 1:48 Tempest Mk.V Series I

58 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:48
SKILL LEVEL:
INTERMEDIATE

SPECIFICATION:
Eduard 1:48 Tempest Mk.V Series 1 ProfiPACK
Kit No. 82121
Materials: IM, PE
Availability: Eduard Webstore
Price: £30

BEFORE STARTING
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement
MXBON606 CA
nlike Spitfire development, where even major

U
Gorilla Glue CA Gel
airframe revisions saw the type keep its original Tesa masking tape
name, Hawker’s Typhoon project was different. The Mr Dissolved Putty
Typhoon wasn’t without its problems, such as a Swann Morton scalpels No.11 & No.15
seemingly unstoppable leaking of carbon monoxide RB Productions Rivet-R tool
gas into the cockpit, and of course that tail unit which had RB Productions fine razor saw
broken away completely on some aircraft, ending with a
Micro drill bits
Various sanding sponges and sticks
series of reinforcement straps that were designed as a simple GSI Creos scribing tool (fine)
fix for this. Like the Hurricane, the Typhoon also had a thick DSPIAE PE bending tool
wing section that provided the machine with enough space DSPIAE single blade cutters
for heavy armament, fuel tanks and resulted in a steady
gun platform that could be used for low-level operations. AIRBRUSH
Unfortunately, the thick wing was responsible for high levels Iwata HP-C+
of drag that slowed the aircraft at certain altitudes and
affected climb rates. To fix these problems needed a number PAINTS USED:
of radical solutions which resulted in Sydney Camm and Mr. Hobby Paint
his team taking the Typhoon literally back to the drawing CS684 WWII RAF Standard Color Set Middle-Late
board. The resulting aircraft was sufficiently different Period
enough to the Typhoon, as to eventually merit a Soot
name change, and in keeping with Hawker’s
Tamiya
use of severe storm condition names for XF-1 Flat Black
its range of fighters, ‘Tempest’ was XF-2 Flat White
chosen. Originally, the type XF-69 NATO Black
was to have been called XF-85 Flat Rubber
Typhoon II. The small
tail fin surface Vallejo Folkestone Basics Paint Set
of the
Mr. Metal Color
Aluminium
Brass

AK-Interactive Xtreme Metal

Aluminium

ACCESSORIES:
Eduard Tempest Mk.V cockpit
Eduard Tempest Mk.V exhaust stacks
Eduard Tempest Mk.V gun bays
Eduard Tempest Mk.V landing flaps
Eduard Tempest Mk.V wheels early
Eduard Tempest Mk.V Löök

EST Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 59

KIT BUILD
prototype machines was eventually enlarged, and sanding stick were then used to reduce
and the recognisable filleted fin introduced the plastic back to the flap demarcation
into production machines, as well as the wider line. Lastly, a small landing flap area on the
span horizontal tail-plane that was seen on underside of the fuselage wing root needed to
later versions of the Typhoon. A wider track be removed in more or less the same manner.
landing gear helped with higher landing With this complete, it was temporarily time to
speeds. What made the Tempest radically leave the landing flaps and look at the wing
different to the Typhoon was the design of a gun bays.
sleeker, laminar flow wing that was designed The gun bay doors were now removed,
by NACA in the USA and implemented on the using the same chain-drill method to extract
new Mustang design. the landing flap plastic. This was cut back
right back to and including, the panel line
It’s been a whole 20 years since Eduard released their The Build area. Removing the resin gun bay walls from
last Tempest kit. This new-tool kit brings things up to When asked to build this model, I was the casting blocks required some careful
modern specification and fixes any inaccuracies. asked to throw everything at it that Eduard cutting with a very fine razor saw, and these
had currently on sale, in terms of their were cleaned up with a fine sanding stick. To
own aftermarket sets. At the time of the give some rigidity to the resin frames, I now
challenge, this included the cockpit set, added the PE underside to them with CA.
wheels, exhausts, gun bays, landing flaps With a definitive shape now solidified, these
and undercarriage. I also had their Löök were test-fitted to the new gun bay openings
instrument panel/seatbelt set that I would in the wings and the cut-out finely tuned until
incorporate. So with the full English (Czech) the resin bays would recess snugly. Once
served, up, it was time to tuck in. complete, I took the time to clean up the four
ammunition feeds and prepared them, and the
It Started With A Wing gun bays, for airbrushing with Xtreme Metal
By far, the most radically modified part of this Aluminium. Mr Metal Color Brass was now
model was going to involve those fabulous used to hand paint the ammunition
You get plenty of plastic for your money, all nicely tooled semi-elliptical wings, and because of this, I shells and Dark Iron for the guns
and moulded. Being a ProfiPACK, some of these parts will decided to tackle this part of the project first, themselves. The latter were
be replaced with PE, and my extras will consign a few instead of the customary cockpit. Eduard kept on the casting blocks until
more parts to the spares tub. provides the wings with the landing flap area needed. A protective coat of
moulded in situ, and the trailing edge of this Klear was now applied over
area is actually moulded to the upper wing all newly painted parts. When
panels. I would need to remove that area cured, AK’s Dark Brown wash
and thin the trailing edges so that it could was applied to the parts and
accommodate the PE parts. For me, this is the excess removed when dry.
probably the most tedious part of the job, Final gun bay assembly was now
but after several hours chiselling, scraping undertaken, and CA was used to finally
and sanding, I’d reduced that area to the glue these into their respective positions.
profile shown on the landing flaps instruction Eduard did a great job of the wheel bays, as
sheet. The lower wing panel also required the these are superbly detailed. Assembly meant
moulded flap detail to be removed. I chain- fitting various walls around the indents on the
drilled along the inside edge of these and then underside of the upper wing panel, where all
This is gonna get messy! Eduard’s gun bay set will require cut between them to free the plastic. A scalpel the ceiling detail was moulded. A few other
some surgery to the wing, and some patience too.

More resin, courtesy of Eduard. These will replace the lit

exhausts and wheels, and the Löök panel will be adapted
to the new cockpit set.

The gun bay set throws plenty of resin at you and the fragile frames
will need some careful clean-up before installation.

Three more sets here but I will only use two of them,
namely the cockpit and landing flaps. I didn’t feel
the general upgrade set was going to add anything
worthwhile on this build.
 1:48

This is the rest of the cockpit resin. As you can

see, your work is really cut out here.
Probably the fiddliest part of this
project is the cockpit, and those
sidewall frames took me many hours
to clean up before assembly. They are
also super-fragile.

Before and after. The upper

wing panels have their gun bay
I decided to start work doors carefully removed with a
on the wing as this drill and fresh scalpel.
is the one area that
bears the brunt of any
required surgery.

These are the remains of the

gun bay and lower flap areas
after surgery. Don’t be shy!
Cut away!

After removing material to allow the inner wing flap area

to be fitted, I built the landing gear bays.

Only when the resin bay snugly recesses

into the wing, will you know the fit is Assembly of the gun bays was actually quite
correct. Note that I removed a corner of straightforward, and with the lower floor in position, the
the external wheel well wall, so the gun reinforced bay can be test-fitted to the upper wing and
bay would fit. the plastic adjusted as necessary.

Before I could use the airbrush, the remaining resin gun bay
parts were cleaned up in readiness for assembly.

A job well done. I

think it’s time to
move onto some
paint.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 61

KIT BUILD
small details such as strut lock mechanism
etc. were fitted and the bays airbrushed with
Gunze Interior Grey Green. Klear was again
used to seal these before a dark brown wash
was applied. Once these were airbrushed in
Gunze H20 Flat Clear, a Tamiya weathering
set (yellow) was used to highlight the centres
of areas between the ribs and the rib caps
themselves. I also took the opportunity to do
the same for the tail wheel module.
Finishing the wing was a breeze. Tamiya
AK’s Xtreme Metal Aluminium was
Extra Thin Cement was gradually run around airbrushed over all internal bun bay
the leading edge and wing tip areas, including areas, and Mr Metal Brass used to paint
a little around the wheel bay to lower wing the ammunition.
panel joint. Once dry, the seams were
removed, ailerons attached and also the gun seemingly fragile. All parts are removed with
fairing/leading edge panels were fitted with no a very fine razor saw as this was the best way
problems. to prevent any damage to delicate parts.
Where I found it possible, some
Cockpit And Fuselage parts were glues to the frames
Eduard’s standard plastic using CA, and a number of
fuselage is certainly nothing other subassemblies were
to baulk at and is one of created. The finished items, ready
the nicest 1:48 cockpits With basic work for installation to the wing
I’ve seen, but of course, complete, plus a panels.
the Brassin set eclipses small number of resin
components fastened
within the plastic
A dark brown wash was applied to
the gun bay components and any fuselage sidewalls,
excess removed with a cotton bud. Gunze Interior
Grey Green was
airbrushed over
this in terms of finesse and these areas, as well
detail. I decided to incorporate as Tamiya NATO Black in
the new Löök set with this, with its pre- others. Mr Metal Color Aluminium
painted resin instrument panel and shaded was airbrushed over the oil tank that
steel seatbelts. To do this, I needed to graft it sits behind the instrument panel. Some
onto the resin support bar that was moulded parts in this set, such as the throttle quadrant, …and finally
to the IP that came with the cockpit set, as require PE parts to be fitted, as well as a fitted. These were
Löök sets are designed to be used with the little styrene rod. All detail painting within the glued into position
plastic parts by default. Clean-up work for the cockpit is carried out with a very fine Zoukei-
with CA, despite
the general tight fit
cockpit was an extensive and time-consuming mura brush, and then Klear is airbrushed over of the parts.
affair, with the side frames themselves being all components to seal them. A very small
the parts that sucked up most of my time in number of Airscale placards are also used.
this process. These are infeasibly fine and When cured, a dark brown wash is applied to

Interior Grey Green is airbrushed into the main gear bays and A dark brown wash was then applied to the detail areas and the Once the areas had been varnished in Gunze H20 Flat Clear,
allowed to cure before a protective coat of Klear was applied. excess removed with a cotton bud. Tamiya weathering pastels were used to highlight the raised
structures and centres of panels.

62 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:48
Tamiya Extra Thin
Eduard’s plastic cockpit is actually very good
Cement was used to
and certainly more than adequate for what you
assemble the main
will be able to see. However, here it is alongside
wing and when cured,
the Brassin resin cockpit that I’ll be using in
the ailerons were
this project.
glued into position.

Interior Grey Green

was airbrushed over
the resin cockpit
assemblies and the
interior fuselage
walls, followed by a
coat of Klear.

NATO Black was

now used to paint
the upper interior
cockpit walls.

The Löök panel was designed to fit to the plastic parts only, so
this had to be modified to fit the Brassin pit by grafting it to the
lower part of a spare instrument panel part.

Vallejo paints are used to

brush paint the details before
a wash is added to the
cockpit components.

Once the dark brown

wash has dried fully, a
soft, flat brush is used
to gently remove and
buff away any excess.
These assemblies are
super-fragile.

Flat varnish and a

dry-brushing session
later, the various cockpit
subassemblies are finally
put together.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 63

KIT BUILD

There is no engine in this

kit, but the chin radiator is
nicely represented as a small
assembly of its own. Once
It’s finally time to close up the fuselage painted, this is glued into
and build the airframe. Note the painted the nose cowl with Tamiya
tailwheel bay too. The cockpit module cement.
fit very nicely into the fuselage, except
for the rear bulkhead which seemed to
protrude lower than the fuselage itself. I
removed this and all was ok. It won’t be
seen when assembled.

Fitting the wing was a

breeze, with no problems
encountered at all. In
fact, no filler needed
either. The same applies
to the tail sections.

A scriber and rivet tool were used to reinstate the details

lost when the fuselage seams were removed. Dymo taps
is used to guide each tool.

Thankfully, my preparation work for the landing flap

inserts paid off fully. These parts fit like a dream.

various details and the excess removed with this aircraft is the large chin radiator. This
a cotton bud. Gunze H20 Flat Klear is now is now carefully assembled and painted as
airbrushed over all parts and then Vallejo Sky per instructions, as is the interior nose area
The tail surfaces are of a traditional construction and fit Grey is carefully dry-brushed over various of each fuselage half. The radiator is now
together beautifully. details. dropped into position and is a perfect fit.
Assembly is actually quite fiddly but very It’s now the turn of the cockpit tub to be
rewarding when you see the little gem come installed within the fuselage, and this is first
together. CA is again used to construct the dry fitted between the fuselage halves. When
tub, taking special care not to bend any fragile in place, a couple of small spots of CA are
components too much when manipulating the used to anchor it before I take the halves
various frames and insertions. After fitting the apart again and administer a couple more
oil tank and the steel lap belts in position, the spots of glue to permanently fit the office.
Löök colour-printed resin instrument panel is Tamiya Extra Thin Cement is now used to
fitted into place. finally glue the fuselage halves together, and
Of course, the main initial identifier of once fully cured, the seams are removed

PE parts are supplied for the strengthening fishplates.

These are attached with CA.
 Some pre-shade is added to
the model, and the Sky-colour
tail band is applied.
1:48

Whilst these look fiddly, they are actually very easy to

make, and this new PE tool made the job so simple.

After paint, a dark brown wash is applied to the landing

gear doors…

White is now used to paint the areas that

encompass the invasion stripe areas and
9.5mm strips applied.

… and to the struts and retract mechanisms. The excess

was removed when dry.

with sanding sticks and sponges, and an RB added

Productions rivet took used to add back the at the tail
small amount of detail lost with sanding. Panel unit/fuselage
lines were reinstated with a GSI Creos scribing juncture. Fitting the
tool. Lastly, the upper cockpit fairing was fitted wing to the fuselage was very
with the gunsight, head armour and main much an example of how perfectly
seatbelts, and then glued into position. this kit builds up. No gaps to be seen
and everything just aligns so very well. The
I’ll Put You Together Again large gaps in the trailing edge of the wing, left
Construction of the stabilisers and elevators by the surgery to fit the landing flaps, could
was simple and quite traditional, and the now be tackled. Actually, early test The resin wheels were supplied with masks, and these
rudder is actually moulded as a hollow fitting showed that these could were used to protect the aluminium paint from the
Rubber Black application.
part, presumably to reduce risk of sink only be easily fitted once the
marks. All tail parts were now fitted
to the fuselage, and the small
PE fishtail reinforcement plates

Medium Sea Grey is

applied to the under-
surfaces. There isn’t
too much area to
Black paint is now airbrushed over the cover now!
uncovered white areas. Yellow leading-edges
are also painted.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 65

KIT BUILD After marking the
camouflage pattern with a
soft pencil, Ocean Grey is
airbrushed over the upper
fuselage and wing were together, surfaces.
as they seemed to have a natural,
positional fall. Regular CA was
used to fit these, and this task
was followed by adding the cockpit
coaming and the armoured headrest
ensemble to the fuselage. Painting the
inner landing flap area would wait until after
the main scheme was applied as it’s just
easier to mask things that way.
As I’d already tackled the landing flap wing
area, I thought it astute to build the actual
flaps at this stage, seeing as
I still had the PE bender
on the desk. These
are quite easy with
a simple major fold,
followed by bending

I think the result looks

rather pleasing at
this stage. Only a few
minor touch-ups to fix
With the model masked further with Blue-Tack worms paint bleed.
and more tape, the Dark Green is finally applied.

the ribs upwards to 90 degrees, followed dry-fit at this stage. A note here is that the
by adding the small PE details and plastic wheels needed to be drilled out slightly to
actuation rod from Evergreen strip. All gluing accommodate the oleo axles. I found that
here was with regular CA. Flaps built, they very strange.
were set aside until the main paint job. The Tempest’s large four-blade prop
then went into the paint shop, being
It’s Those Little Details… first painted in Semi-Gloss Black,
With the airframe now complete and major followed by an application of white to
construction ended, I clipped the last major the masked wingtips, and then RLM03
parts from the sprues. These were mostly for Yellow from Gunze. Eduard’s
the undercarriage. After cleaning them up, decision to make the prop fixed
all gear bar door sections were airbrushed into one final position by
in Gunze Interior Grey Green, and the struts
and retract mechanisms in AK’s Xtreme Metal
Aluminium. A coat of Klear then sealed them
before a dark brown wash was applied to
them. I’d already decided to use the Brassin
Early Tempest wheel set, so cleaned the parts
ready for assembly and painted the hubs in
the same aluminium colour. After their wash,
masks were used to protect the hubs before
Tamiya XF-85 Flat Rubber was applied. All
Eduard don’t supply decals for
the wing walkways, so these
undercarriage parts complete, they were then are manually masked and
carefully assembled, with the wheels being airbrushed in flat black.

66 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:48

…and the flaps themselves are now painted to match

the model paint scheme.

Xtreme Metal Aluminium is now airbrushed over the landing flap

interior areas…

The Cartograph decals work

superbly on the fine surface
textures, and even over the raised
fuselage rivets, with the aid of Mr
Mark Setter Neo.

Dark Brown and Neutral washes are used

over the various external details, depending
on background colour.

67
KIT BUILD
using the spinner backplate as the element
you glue to the nose, is strange. However, this
backplate is now airbrushed in flat black, and
then the spinner in Gunze Sky. I’d never really
noticed that black spinner colour before.

Invasion Day
First up was masking any areas that I didn’t
want paint ingress, such as the wheel
bays, chin intake, gun bays,
and cockpit. After a rather
rudimentary pre-shade session
in flat black (not hitting the
striped areas), I airbrushed
Gunze RLM03 yellow along
the outboard wing leading-
edges. Gunze Sky was then
applied to the rear fuselage
area to create the tail band.
When cured, I marked off the
striped portions of the model and used Tamiya overlap of course. To add some faux-fading,
XF-2 Flat White to fill in those areas. After a little white was added to the base colour
a subtle misting of Klear, these areas were and more thinners added before spots of this
again masked further to create the striped were applied between rivet lines etc. Blue
Undercarriage now fitted,
bands, followed by an application of Tamiya Tack worms were then applied, and tape used it just remains to add the
XF-1 Flat Black. At this stage, I didn’t unmask to protect the Ocean Grey from overspray. flaps, wheels, prop, canopy,
the stripes, but actually covered them over The last colour to be applied was the Gunze aerial, and access step.
totally in readiness for the camouflage colours, Dark Green, complete with more faux-
starting with Gunze Medium Sea Grey for the fading using slightly lightened base colour.
underside. Also masked off are the yellow It seemed to take a long time before I was
leading edges. allowed to unmask everything and finally see
More masking tape was then used to create the result, but then again, I am impatient! At
the upper/lower demarcation, before Gunze this point, Klear was applied to the model in
Ocean Grey was airbrushed into the areas readiness for the next stage. Gun bay doors
that I’d marked out for that colour, with a little and landing flaps were then matched against

68 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 1:48
the camouflage and invasion stripes and the AK’s Dark Brown wash was then applied to areas, both heavily thinned. At this point I
colours applied to them appropriately. the panel lines on the upper surfaces and a could also now fit the final subassemblies,
neutral one on the lower. such as the undercarriage, canopy and
Decals And Weathering And Final A couple of hours propeller, plus the small details like the wingtip
Assembly were allowed to pass lights and pitot etc. The various gun bay doors
It’s certainly true to say that the number of before the excess was were also randomly fitted to the upper wings,
stencils on this model far outweigh the national carefully removed and so they looked like they’d been removed to
and identification markings, but I decided to any residues swabbed rearm and maintain the weapons. ■
get the main ones applied first. These were into the surrounding
helped a little with Mr Mark Setter Neo. Care paintwork.
was needed to get the decals to conform Once the coat of
over the rear fuselage due to the raised rivet Gunze H20 Flat Clear
detail, so some pressure needed to be applied was cured, Gunze Soot
with a cotton bud. With all decals complete, and Tamiya Buff were
they were finally sealed with a coat of Klear. applied to the exhaust

FINAL VERDICT
No doubt about it, you could well build Eduard’s new Tempest straight from the box and end up with a beautiful
recreation of this powerful fighter aircraft, or you can throw a few extras at it like I did. Eduard has created
numerous possibilities with their new-tool kit, especially for those who love to add detail or like diorama options.
Fitting Eduard’s sets is actually quite easy, but you will need to overcome some aspects of surgery, especially with
the gun bays. I do feel the cockpit is perhaps one area that doesn’t need to be covered as the resin option is fiddly
and can barely be seen when complete. At the time of writing, new sets are also about to be released, such as the
bronze gear legs and an engine. In all, Eduard’s new Tempest is a cracking kit, and with a swathe of extras, can
really be built up into a show-stopper. Everyone’s a winner!
My sincere thanks to Eduard for the Tempest kit and aftermarket accessories they kindly sent for this article.

Issue 166
144 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 69
IN COLOUR…

END OF AN ERA
THIS YEAR HAS MARKED THE END OF TORNADO OPERATIONS WITH THE ROYAL AIR FORCE. TO COMMEMORATE
THAT IMPORTANT EVENT, MARCUS JELLYMAN HAS DRAWN TOGETHER SOME WONDERFUL IMAGES OF THIS ICONIC
AIRCRAFT AS IT PASSED INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS. WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY MARCUS JELLYMAN

1 2

1: ZA461 Tornado GR.4 of No. 15 Squadron based at RAF Lossiemouth is seen in this special colour scheme marking the 100th Anniversary of the Squadron. The aircraft is seen parked in the static
display of the 2015 Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford. 2: ZA456 Tornado GR.4 of RAF Marham based No. 9 (B) Squadron looking resplendent in its beautifully painted 100th Anniversary markings
in the static display of the 2015 Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford. 3: ZA452/021 Tornado GR.4 operating within the RAF Marham Tornado Aircraft Pool and flying on this day with No. 2 Squadron
and seen here arriving back to Marham in March 2007 with a Raptor Reconnaissance Pod attached to the centre belly pylon. The airframe is now preserved at the Midland Air Museum.

3
70 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019
 FULL-SIZE

4
4: ZA612/IV Tornado GR.4 with markings from No. 2 Squadron is seen on final approach to its home base at RAF Marham on the 2nd March 2007. 5: ZA429/029 Tornado GR.4 of No. 9 (B) Squadron
based at RAF Marham was painted in this special colour to celebrate “25 Years of the GR”, and is seen here returning to its home base in April 2007. 6: ZG750 or ‘Pinky’ as she was affectionately
known was painted in Operation Granby Desert Pink for the 25th Anniversary of the GR in operations. The aircraft is seen here returning to RAF Marham from the 2016 Farnborough Airshow. 7: ZA564
Tornado GR.4 of No. 31 Squadron ‘Goldstars’ wore this special colour scheme celebrating their 90th Anniversary during 2007, and is seen here departing the 2007 RAF Waddington Airshow. 8: ZA611
Tornado GR.4 of No. 41 (R) Squadron departs the 2008 RAF Waddington Airshow with a trio of Brimstone missiles under the belly. The squadron currently operates as the RAF’s Test and Evaluation
Squadron.

5 6

7 8

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 71

IN COLOUR…
9 10

9 & 10: Fantastic nose art on ZA400/011 Tornado GR4A ‘Scud Hunter’ of No. 2 Squadron departs the RAF Waddington Airshow for its home base of RAF Marham in July 2008. 11: With a wave from the
WSO, ZG713/123/G Tornado GR.4A of No. 2 Squadron is seen blasting past the Caravan at its home base of RAF Marham in March 2009. 12: ZD748AK Tornado GR.1 of No. 9 Squadron looks fantastic
in its old camouflage colour scheme at the Royal International Tattoo 1998. The aircraft was sporting a quartet of AGM-88 HARM missiles on the belly and wings. 13: ZA462/CG Tornado GR.1 of No.
17 Squadron seen sporting the Grey colour scheme at the Royal International Air Tattoo 1998. 14: ZA393/BE Tornado GR.1 of No. 14 Squadron was another aircraft in camouflage at the 1998 Royal
International Air Tattoo. Sadly all the Tornado fleet was to lose the colourful camo scheme not long after for the rather drab Grey. 15: ZA360/B-56 Tornado GR.1 of the Tri-National Tornado Training
Establishment was an attendee at the RAF Mildenhall Air Fete in the late 1990’s. Based at RAF Cottesmore, the unit trained aircrews from the Royal Air Force, Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force from 1981 to
1999. 16: ZG729/M Tornado GR.4A of No. 13 Squadron sits at rest at its home of RAF Marham in Norfolk during the 2006 Families Day.

11 12

13 14

15 16

72 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 FULL-SIZE
17

17: ZD714/AJ-W Tornado GR.4

18 in the famous colours of No.
617 Squadron ‘Dam Busters’
performs another circuit of
‘Touch and Goes’ RAF Marham in
April 2007.

18: ZA611 Tornado GR.4

wearing the colours of No.
41(R) Squadron is seen about to
touchdown on RAF Coningsby’s
runway 25 in November 2006.
The Squadron had only recently
moved to RAF Coningsby
from RAF Coltishall after the
retirement of the Jaguar.

19: ZG756/BX Tornado GR.4 of

No. 14 Squadron was a welcome
visitor to the 2007 families day
at RAF Northolt. The colourful
markings were to celebrate
the 90th Anniversary of the
squadron.

19

73
IN COLOUR…

20 21

22 23

74 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

 FULL-SIZE
24

20: ZD748 ‘Shiny Two’ Tornado GR.4A of No. 2 (AC) Squadron is seen over the ‘keys’ on runway 27, arriving for the 2007 Royal International Air Tattoo. This beautiful colour scheme was to
celebrate the squadrons 95th Anniversary. 21: ZD716/DH Tornado GR.4 of No. 31 Squadron leave the active runway at RAF Marham during the final days of Tornado operations. The aircraft 25
was one of three painted for the retirement celebrations, and celebrated 35 years of 31 Squadron operating the type. 22: Tornado GR.4 ZG771 was painted in this special colour scheme in
2016 for the 100th Anniversary of RAF Marham. She is seen here on the 28th February after taking part in a mass flypast as part of the Tornado retirement celebrations. 23: ZG752 Tornado
GR.4 sported this fantastic ‘retro’ camouflage colour scheme for the retirement celebrations that took place during February and March of 2019. Here it leads a line of ten aircraft in an
‘Elephant Walk’ along RAF Marham’s runway 19. 24: ZD709 Tornado GR.4 retracts the gear and carries out a missed approach before heading round for another circuit of RAF Marham. 25:
A scene never to be repeated as ten Tornado’s perform an ‘Elephant Walk’ along RAF Marham’s runway 19, before pulling up and turning for a pose for the 1000s of photographers. The
guys and girls of RAF Marham are to be congratulated for giving the Tornado such a wonderful send off.

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 75

NEW FROM DOOLITTLE MEDIA

The Modeller’s Guide

Superdetailing, Painting and Weathering
Aircraft of WWII, with airfield accessories, ordnance and diorama

Aleksandar Pocuc
SCALE MODELLING:
A LOVE STORY READY

‘
Modeller’s guide to
TO ASSEMBLE superdetailing, painting and
weathering aircraft of WWII’
TOOLS AND MATERIALS
book is intended for both
TECHNIQUES beginners and advanced
modellers as it covers wide variety
BUILDING THE AIRCRAFT of modelling tasks ranging from
■ SPITFIRE MK. IXC basic detailing, scratch-building,
■ P-47D THUNDERBOLT painting, weathering, machining
■ JU-87D ‘STUKA’ custom parts using resin as well as
scratch-building part from brass and
MAKING A DIORAMA
aluminium and of course, diorama
making. Basics about tools, paints
and modelling materials have
been covered as well. The book
revolves around three subjects,
P-47D Razorback, Spitfire Mk.IXc
and Junkers Ju-87D Stuka, all in
32nd scale. Step by step concept
will provide a good reference and
ideas to all WWII aircraft modellers

ORDER NOW: regardless of their experience.

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EVENTS DIARY
Model shows for 2019

May 11th 2019 May 25th 2019 the Marquee bar and Night Flying on
Lancing Model Show to be held IPMS Torbay and South Devon Model Saturday evening. Tickets available from
at Lancing Parish Hall, 96 South Show to be held at Torquay Town our website www.wingsnwheels.net and
Street, Lancing, BN15 8AJ. Doors open to Hall, Torquay Town Hall, Castle Circus at the gate.
the Public from 10.00am - 4.00pm. Free Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3DR. Exhibitions,
entry, donations welcome. Club Displays club displays, competitions, trade stalls. August 11th 2019
and Exhibits, Competition, Traders and Admission: adults £2.50, over 65s Boscombe Down Aviation Collection
Refreshments. Please see £1.50, under 13’s: £1.00, family: £5.00. to hold their Fourth Model Show in
www.lancingmodelshow.org.uk or Contact: IPMS Torbay & South Devon. Hangar 1, Old Sarum Airfield, Old Sarum,
email [email protected] for Email: Salisbury, SP4 6DZ. Displays by model
further information. [email protected] clubs across the region along with trade
Website: www.ipmstorbay.com stands and other displays. Entry includes
May 19th 2019 the model show and museum, as well
East Midlands Model Show 2019 to be June 29th & 30th 2019 as the experience of sitting in a fast jet
held at The Leisure Centre, Hinckley, The The Wings & Wheels Model Spectacular cockpit!
Leisure Centre, Argents Mead, Hinckley, will take place on 29th & 30th June www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk
LE10 1BZ. The 29th Annual Show for 2019, the 33rd annual show. Every type
the East Mids Model Club Show. £4.00/ of model aircraft from WW1 biplanes September 8th 2019
Adults, £1.50/Child/Conc, £9.00/Family to the latest fast jets. Big displays of ASVC Wombourne to hold their
ticket. Prices held for the 4th year. See Model boats in our main marquee and annual show between 10:00 am and
the web page for more details and demonstrations of the boats in action 16:00pm at the Wombourne Library
updates. in our large boat pool. Also features and Community Centre, Church Road,
Contact: Jon Arnold, East Midlands Model trucks and tanks displays. Trade stands, Wombourne, Wolverhampton, South
Club. Tel: 07931 338498. huge Bring & Buy and refreshments. Staffordshire, WV5 9EZ.
Email: [email protected] Camping for the weekend which also Contact Martyn Crowther.
Website: www.eastmidsmodelclub.co.uk includes free musical entertainment in Email: [email protected]

78 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

CONTACTS
✆ ✉
Contact details for companies featured in MAI this month...

Azur/Frrom Historie & Collections MARK I Ltd. Revell GmbH & Co., KG
**See Special Hobby Ltd** 5 avenue de la Ræpublique, F-75541 PO Box 10, CZ-100 31 Prague 10 – Strasnice, Abteilung X, Henschelstr 20-30,
Paris Cédex 11. Tel: 01 40 21 18 20 Czech Republic. Tel: +420-241 765 158 D-32257 Bünde, Germany
Albion Alloys Fax: 01 47 00 51 11 Fax: +420-241 765 158
518 Wallisdown Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset www.historieetcollections.fr Email: [email protected] Special Hobby Ltd
BH11 8PT. www.albionhobbies.com Mezilesi 718, Prague 9 193 00,
Tel. 0044 1202 511232 The Hobby Company Limited Master Model Czech Republic
Fax. 0044 1202 539967 Garforth Place, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes 71-126 Szczecin, ul. 26 Kwietnia 49/44, www.cmkkits.com
MK5 8PH. Tel: 01908 605 686 Poland. Tel: +48 0 503 072 624
Creative Models Ltd Fax: 01908 605 666 Email: [email protected] Wydawnictwo Stratus s.c.
Creative Models Ltd, Unit 6-10 Ind Est Email: [email protected] www.master-model.pl PO Box 123, 27-600 Sandomierz 1, Poland
Chatteris, PE16 6TG. Tel: +44 (0)1354 760022 or [email protected] Tel: 0-15 833 30 41
Fax: +44 (0)1354 760037 www.hobbyco.net Mushroom Model Email: [email protected]
www.creativemodels.co.uk Publications www.stratusbooks.com.pl
ICM Holding 3 Gloucester Close, Petersfield, Hants.
Eduard M.A., Borispolskaya 9, Building 64, Kiev 02099, GU32 3AX. Tel: +44 (1)1730 265014 Trumpeter
170 Obrnice, Obrnice, 435 21, Ukraine. Tel/Fax: (+380 44) 369 54 12 Email: [email protected] Wa San Development (Macau) Ltd
Czech Republic. Tel: 420 35 6 11 81 86 Email: [email protected] www.mmpbooks.biz Rampa Dos Cavleiros No.9,
Fax: 420 35 6 11 81 71. Email: [email protected] Block 5, Floor 16, Flat AS EDF,
Italeri S.p.A Pocketbond Ltd. Jardim Sun Yick Garden, Macaua, China
Hannants Via Pradazzo 6/B, I-40012 Calderara di Reno, POCKETBOND www.trumpeter.com
Harbour Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, (Bologna), Italy. Tel: +39 051 72 60 37 Bachmann Europe PLC, Moat Way
Suffolk, NR32 3LZ. Tel: 01502 517444 Fax: +39 051 72 64 59 Barwell, Leics LE9 8EY Wingnut Wings Ltd
Fax: 01502 500521. www.hannants.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel 01455 841756. [email protected] PO Box 15-319, Miramar, Wellington 6022,
New Zealand
Hasegawa Corporation, Lela Presse S.A.R.L. Revell GmbH www.wingnutwings.com
3-1-2 Yagusu Yaizu, 29, rue Paul Bert, 62230 Outreau, France. Unit 10, Old Airfield Industrial Estate,
Shizuoka 425-8711, Japan Tel: 03 21 33 88 96 Cheddington Lane, Tring, HP23 4QR
Tel: 81 54 6 28 82 41 Fax: 03 21 32 00 39 Tel: 0845-459-0747. Fax: 01296-660041
Fax: 81 54 6 27 80 46 www.avions-bateaux.com. Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]. www.revell.de/en

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Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 79

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 S ubscrib
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WESTLAND’S SEA KING IMPROVING THE IMAGE…

Delayed from this month, Mike Williams delves deep into Airfix’s release of Aftermarket updates from Eduard’s vast range further improve their already superb
this famous maritime helicopter to build an example from 330 Squadron Royal 1:72 MiG-21 Fishbed.
Norwegian Air Force.

A HUNTER
MADE FOR
TWO…
Greg Phillips builds a stunning
1:48 Hawker Hunter T.7 from the
Airfix kit…From scratch!

Issue 166 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 81

FINAL THOUGHTS

HERE AT LAST! AIRFIX’S INCREDIBLE F6F-5 HELLCAT LANDS ON DECK…

aving made something of a splash at last year’s Scale

H Model World event in Telford as it was unveiled to an

expectant public, Airfix’s latest 1:24 offering was highly
anticipated and now that an early sample has arrived on
the MAI workbench, we can say with some conviction that
the wait was more than worth it. The results are simply magnificent.
First impressions last, so the 600+ parts take some getting used to,
as does the size of the model and the detail that it contains. You’ll find
a fully appointed cockpit, complete engine bay, gun bays, the option
of folded or unfolded wings and enough weaponry to start a small war.
Surface detail cleverly replicates the lapped, rippled and riveted panels
of the original and where raised features are needed, they are included
as well. It really is an engineering study in miniature.
Along with the plastic parts, the kit also supplies what can best be
described as an encyclopaedic instruction manual that breaks the build to be careful catered for in advance.
down into over 300 steps(!) and then full painting instructions, both As you can tell, we are very excited about this kit and have already
as construction progresses and then for the colour schemes that are begun initial construction, ready for the start of a series of features on it
offered in the kit. Careful study of both will be needed before beginning beginning later this year.
work as there is a mountain of options within the kit and they will need See you next time. ■

82 MODEL AIRPLANE INTERNATIONAL - May 2019

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